Cover Story
A summer gift: Despite one resident’s protests, the Cambria Christmas Market nabs a 15-year permit to keep its holiday cheer going into the future
Christmas spirit arrived early this summer season as the SLO County Board of Supervisors approved a permit for the Cambria Christmas Market to run for the next 15 years—despite a resident appeal calling the popular market unsustainable for the town. Claudia Worthen, cofounder of Beautify Cambria and 38-year Cambria resident, appealed the permit approved by…
The Instigators is an amusing mismatched buddy flick
THE INSTIGATORS What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? MatineeWhat’s it worth, Glen? MatineeWhere’s it showing? Apple TV Plus Doug Liman (Swingers, The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) directs this crime comedy about two hapless robbers—Rory (Matt Damon) and Cobby (Casey Affleck, who co-wrote the script with Chuck MacLean)—who find themselves on the run with…
Who needs a hug?
Getting suspended from school used to be cool, man. It was a sign of badassery to get kicked out for a couple of days because you were naughty, but thanks to SB 274, schools are now prohibited from suspending students based on simple “willful defiance” including poor attendance and talking back to teachers. Sheesh! Thanks,…
It’s Just a Lifetime: A Portrait of Craig Nuttycombe
What’s it rated? Unrated When? Saturday, Aug. 24, at 7 p.m. ($33.98 at my805tix.com) Where’s it showing? The Cambria Center for the Arts (1350 Main St.) Tim Ursuliak and Carman Cookson-Hills co-direct this documentary about retired handyman, local musician, and irascible character Craig Nuttycombe, who in late 1967 formed the duo Lambert & Nuttycombe with…
Land of Bad
What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix William Eubank (The Signal, Underwater) co-wrote and directs this action thriller about drone pilot Capt. Eddie Grimm “Reaper” (Russell Crowe), supporting a Delta Force team sent to rescue a CIA spy held by Abu Sayyaf terrorists. After a brutal firefight with the terrorists, Sgt. JJ…
SLO County supervisors prohibit using county equipment during public comment
For members of the public attending the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meetings, displaying video and audio presentations using county equipment during the public comment period is now a thing of the past. The supervisors’ 3-2 vote—with 1st District Supervisor John Peschong and 5th District Supervisor Debbie Arnold dissenting—stemmed from controversial opposition to…
Sunrise Terrace residents fight against a cellphone tower proposed next to their homes due to health concerns and lower property values
Retired senior Ethel Landers has lived at Sunrise Terrace in Arroyo Grande for the past few years. She takes pride in the community she shares with her neighbors in the mobile home park for those 55 and older. “We have lovely facilities, a big hall where we have parties; we’ve got a fabulous pool that’s…
Arroyo Grande council changes public comment on non-agenda items to one minute
Arroyo Grande is the latest city in San Luis Obispo County to change the structure of its public comment period after concerns that the time allowed per person takes attention away from important business items. During the Aug. 13 City Council meeting, council members discussed the possibility of moving public comment for items not on…
Paso schools suspend fewer students with new intervention system
The Paso Robles Joint Unified School District reported a decrease in student suspensions after using a new system for discipline, but school board members questioned whether the results showed better student behavior. According to Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) Director of Student Services Thomas Harrington, through its new multi-tiered system of support, fewer…
The Caffeinated Cat Café in Grover Beach is set to be a coffee-fueled feline adoption and fostering space
Waiting game The Caffeinated Cat Café is scheduled to open at the end of September at 1601 West Grand Ave., suite A, in Grover Beach. Keep up with the café at thecaffeinatedcatcafe.com. Email hello@thecaffeinatedcatcafe.com with inquiries. Arroyo Grande resident Jaime Pierce’s visits to cat cafes in Hawaii, Los Angeles, and San Francisco sparked a desire…
Lucia Mar school district fixes its bus shortage in time for school year
After about a week of uncertainty, the Lucia Mar Unified School District now has enough bus space to fit every student at Mesa Middle School who needs to be picked up and dropped off. Dozens of parents had received word that their students didn’t get bus pass applications approved, but Lucia Mar Marketing and Communications…
SLO NightWriters hosts new events to help celebrate 35-year anniversary
Pen, paper, chatter To find out more information on the SLO NightWriters, visit its website at slonightwriters.org. The art of writing and the pastime of reading are often seen as solitary activities, but SLO NightWriters changes that narrative with social gatherings, networking events, and workshops. “Writing is such generally solitary pursuit, it can be very…
Paso Robles will clean up riverbed with help from camping ordinance amendment
Paso Robles plans to step up enforcement and cite illegal public campers thanks to a recent federal Supreme Court ruling and an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom. In June, the federal court overturned the 2019 Martin v. Boise ruling that prevented local governments from criminalizing homelessness. Local governments can now impose criminal charges on…
Genre-jumping singer-songwriters The White Buffalo and Shawn James play the Fremont Theater on Aug. 21
If you like big-voiced singer-songwriters whose music might be described as Americana but who venture far and wide from being categorized as single genre, the Fremont Theater and Good Vibez have a double-bill for you. The White Buffalo and Shawn James share the marquee on Wednesday, Aug. 21, as part of their Tale of Two…
Kindness coach Clare Kennedy helps SLO County employers strive for good
In an increasingly polarizing world, the simple but powerful quality of being kind can be elusive. So much so, that one San Luis Obispo County resident stepped in as a kindness coach. “After [President Donald] Trump got elected, and the news started getting really negative, and there was a lot of conflict and … I…
Three authors discuss their books during fundraiser in Arroyo Grande
Proceeds from an upcoming author event and wine reception at Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande will go toward local scholarships for women. On Sunday, Aug. 18, Chapter VN of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Association) will host An Evening with Authors at the winery, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The reception’s keynote speaker is local author Wendelin…
Festival Mozaic christens Allan Hancock College’s new concert piano
Two Festival Mozaic musicians recently helped Allan Hancock College ring in its newest addition to Boyd Concert Hall. Earlier this summer, the college purchased a new concert piano, valued at $175,000, with funds from the estate of late piano instructor Patricia “Patty” Boyd. In late July, pianist Susan Grace played the Steinway D concert piano…
We are united
John Donegan claims that Kamala Harris is not qualified to be president of the U.S., and she is also a bad choice (“The Democratic Convention,” Aug. 1). He implies that that her nomination was forced on the members of the Democratic Party (“join or else”), and also that she was a “DEI” hire by Joe…
We need to prioritize teen health
The New Times article on CAPSLO’s wonderful Teen Wellness Program (“Prioritizing teen health,” Aug. 8) is very timely as the surgeon general has issued an advisory alert stating that “the defining public health crisis of our time … concerns the mental health and well-being, … especially among our young people.” In addition to CAPSLO’s programs,…
