Cover Story
Prep for survival: National active shooter incidents have changed way local schools, law enforcement ensure student safety
On Tuesday, Jan. 15, San Luis Obispo High School is buzzing with students getting from first period to second. After students reach their destinations, campus is silent except for the light rain hitting the pavement. Fifteen minutes into the class period, an announcement comes over the public address system: “We are currently in a drill,…
Let’s do this
Beer, waves, and tuneage: Big Big SLO and Baywood Ale House will host live music, food, and brews during Beer at the Pier in Baywood Park this Feb. 11 and every Monday evening this spring (from 5 to 7 p.m.; learn more about bands playing at bigbigslo.com or visit on social media) … Want to…
Are you hungry for Flavor?
This is an unorthodox Pick indeed. Today, I am promoting nothing short of my own job! Yes, a tad crazy, but would you expect anything less from Yours Truly? Do you have a bold voice, a vivacious appetite, and a sense of culinary adventure? New Times is looking for a new Flavor writer, and they…
SLO County conducts homeless survey
On Jan. 28 at 6 a.m., volunteers gather in the main room of 40 Prado to participate in the biennial homeless Point In Time Count and survey. A four-person group made up of two guides (homeless individuals) and two volunteers are assigned a section of the city of San Luis Obispo to conduct the survey.…
‘Serenity’: A neo-noir vibe with a twist that falls flat
SERENITY What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Stream it What’s it worth, Glen? Stream it Where’s it showing? Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 Writer-director Steven Knight (Redemption, Locke) helms this thriller about fishing boat captain Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey), whose tranquil life is disrupted when his ex-wife, Karen (Anne Hathaway), finds him and weaves…
Appeals court upholds libel verdict against CalCoastNews
Judges for the California Court of Appeals’ 2nd District upheld a SLO County jury’s 2017 libel verdict against CalCoastNews. In a unanimous decision, the court affirmed the verdict against the local website in connection with a 2012 article about waste management businessman Charles Tenborg authored by reporters Karen Velie and Dan Blackburn. The verdict resulted…
Bingeable: Disenchantment
When? 2018 What’s it rated? TV-14 Where’s it available? Netflix There is nothing in the world that I love more than a great animated sitcom. Starting with The Simpsons, I was hooked on binging my favorite animated comedies over and over and over and OVER again until I wore out my VHS (yes, I’m old).…
County misses $5 million homelessness grant
San Luis Obispo County will not receive up to $5 million in newly available state funds to create housing for homeless individuals with mental illnesses, after a failed search for property forced the county to take itself out of the running. Transitions-Mental Health Association (TMHA), the lone group to step forward to work with the…
Film Listings, 1/31/19 – 2/7/19
AQUAMAN What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 Pick Land dweller Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), aka Aquaman, is the rightful heir to the throne of the underwater kingdom, Atlantis. After his Atlantean half-brother, King Orm (Patrick Wilson), declares war on the surface, Arthur must…
Oceano neighborhood ‘in shock’ over homicide
As the SLO County Sheriff’s Office continued to investigate the homicide of 90-year-old Larry Bross, friends and neighbors of the well-known community activist are still reeling from news of his death. “The whole neighborhood is in shock and sorrow and misses him deeply,” Nell Langford, who owns a vacation home on the same street as…
Two Bob Marley birthday celebrations come to SLO County
On Feb. 6, Bob Marley would have turned 74 if he hadn’t passed in 1981. Nearly 40 years after his death—longer than the 36 years he spent on Earth—people worldwide still gather to celebrate the man, his music, and his message: “If you’re white and you’re wrong, then you’re wrong; if you’re black and you’re…
Cal Poly rolls out inclusive action plan
Cal Poly announced a partnership and a three-step project meant to further the university’s efforts of creating campuswide diversity and inclusivity. On Jan. 24, the university announced it was hiring Damon Williams, an Atlanta-based consultant that specializes in strategic diversity leadership. Williams will spearhead the university’s three-step Inclusive Excellence Action Plan over a 12-month period.…
I no longer drive
I gave up driving 21 days ago, and I haven’t driven since. I drove for 71 years, started at age 20, and it was hard to learn how to do it. Keeping the steering wheel straight, quelling the deep fear of going over the speed limit, took all the courage I had to offer. Like…
Invasive pest prompts new citrus facility
To prevent the bug that ruined Florida’s citrus industry from taking hold in South San Luis Obispo County, Bee Sweet Citrus plans to build a facility that could wash and wax harvested citrus before it’s transported farther south. The 14,900-square-foot facility was part of the South County Advisory Council’s consent agenda on Jan. 28, and…
Fifty years later
I took time on Jan. 27 to travel to Santa Barbara and attend the 50 Years After the Santa Barbara Oil Spill: A Call to Action event at the Arlington Theater, thinking I might learn something. Sadly, I watched a spectacle that evolved into a We Hate President Trump Festival. Speaker after speaker condemned various…
Rainy January impacts flights at SLO Airport highlighting infrastructure gaps
January’s heavy rain was a welcome sight to local farmers, climate-conscious residents, and freshwater reservoirs. But it made for a shaky month of travel at the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. Commercial airlines delayed and canceled flights, offloaded passengers to reduce weight, and otherwise had schedule disruptions as a result of the stormy conditions.…
Oceano deserves an equal opportunity to comment
The city of Pismo Beach wants to build an advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant (Central Coast Blue) in Oceano. This is a form of discriminatory land use that disproportionately overburdens Oceano, an underserved community, with inequitable distribution of environmental pollution. The state of California would call it a form of environmental injustice. Oceano has an excellent…
Morro Bay friends create bean-based energy bar Well Bean
For most of Caroline Israel and Patty Czach’s decades-long friendship, Israel has been encouraging Czach to eat healthy foods. “I want to eat healthier, and she’s always very forthcoming with lots of suggestions,” Czach said. “Over the years it’s been in a lot of our discussions, amongst other things.” In recent years, Czach was having…
When is the public going to be told the truth?
We were told that 22 Chorro St., the building located at the corner of Foothill and Chorro, would provide affordable workforce housing. We ended up with expensive luxury student apartments. We were told that 22 Chorro was made of two-bedroom apartments. These apartments are now advertised as four bedrooms. We were told 22 Chorro would…
A fresh look at Los Osos’ issues
I want thank The Los Osos Groundwater Committee for its work, specifically its opinion piece in New Times on Jan. 17 (“Fresh water solution”). The notion of adding a 5,000-person expansion to Los Osos and its dependence on a very problematic aquifer is absurd given that the Los Osos Community Services District never stops pressuring…
SLO Library exhibit displays works of first ‘Rolling Stone’ photographer
On view The Backstage Pass: Baron Wolman and the Early Years of Rolling Stone exhibit will be on display at the SLO Library through March 16. An opening reception will be held on Feb. 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. with a talk by Wolman. Visit slocounty.ca.gov for more information. Baron Wolman describes himself as…
More resources for elders
Thank you for the story titled “Helping Hand,” which highlights the importance of social connection to healthy aging (Jan. 10). SLO Village, a nonprofit membership organization, is another local resource for elders seeking support and community on the Central Coast. SLO Village is a virtual community for people 60-plus years old who want to create…
Cuesta College’s ‘Ghost Ship’ to compete in national festival
The Cuesta College Drama Department’s production of Ghost Ship has been selected from among hundreds of college productions across the nation to compete at the 2019 Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Los Angeles. The festival takes place from Feb. 12 through 16. Ghost Ship is the fourth Cuesta College production chosen to compete…
Studios on the Park’s pARTners show displays the work of creative couples
Two for one The pARTners exhibit will be on display at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles through Feb. 24. In conjunction with the show, Art After Dark will take place on Feb. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., and art historian Tess Wright will also present an art talk, Love and Work, on…
Park Cinemas presents Valentine’s Day screening of ‘Father Goose’
The Downtown Paso Robles Main Street Association presents a special Valentine Movie Night screening of director Ralph Nelson’s Academy Award-winning1964 romance adventure, Father Goose, on Sunday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m. at Park Cinemas. The story centers on the romantic sparks that develop between a slovenly sailor (Cary Grant, To Catch a Thief, North by…
Mushroom hunters will unite Feb. 8 at SLO Botanical Garden
Be a fun guy (or gal) The Friday, Feb. 8, mushroom event at the SLO Botanical Garden will showcase a photo-filled presentation covering common mushroom taxonomy, identification methods, and more. Attendees will also be able to partake in a Q-and-A. No reservations required. Suggested donation of $5 for garden members, $10 for the public. For…
The plague of false narrative
“The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed—and hence clamorous to be led to safety—by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.” –H.L. Mencken Our addiction to instant communications is doing grave harm to truth and the body politic. It’s effectively turning us against each other…
SLOMA hosts textile artist Michael Rohde
California-based textile artist Michael Rohde will be the guest speaker at SLOMA’s Art at High Noon program on Thursday, Feb. 7. Attendees are welcome to bring lunch and enjoy a guided tour of Rohde’s tapestry exhibition, The Empathy Of Patience. Rohde’s works were previously featured at the museum in 2013 in the Tapestry Weavers West…
News nibs
Fashion, but make it charitable: Share the Love will host its 2019 fashion show at Madonna Inn with many amazing chances to chow down! The charity event kicks off March 1 to 2 with choices like mandarin chicken salad, summer garden mixed greens with gorgonzola, the famous pink champagne and black forest cakes. For all…
Vexed and loving it!
Look hard enough and you’re guaranteed to find something to be indignant about! Nay, aggrieved! Outraged! Livid! Furious! Apoplectic! A smirking high school kid in a MAGA hat? Death threats! A Native American activist and veteran beating a drum? A liar who wasn’t in Vietnam! A statue of 26th President Teddy Roosevelt in Mitchell Park?…
Cork poppin’
An ambitious spread: Niner Wine Estates in Paso Robles is ramping up its culinary offerings in 2019, which is good news for wine tasters seeking more than those weird dry crackers. Check out a Valentine’s Day dinner in February as well as a new chef’s tasting menu offered all month. You can also expect a…
Sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on our Jan. 24 news story, “Go-karts, mini golf coming to El Chorro Park this summer.”
