

Cover Story
With some paid less than $1 per hour, SLO County seeks to improve job options for adults with disabilities
Food for a purpose Fig at Courtney’s House is located at 311 6th St. in Templeton and open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Founded in 2016, the nonprofit’s mission is to provide job training, employment, and a safe community to adults with developmental disabilities. Visit figgoodfood.org to donate or learn more.…
Local nonprofit works to spread awareness about chronic pot use
Nearly all of the seats were filled at a Marijuana and Youth forum held in the Lucia Mar Unified School District boardroom on Jan. 31. The forum, put on by local nonprofit Prevention of Substance Abuse for Youth (POSAFY), presented the adverse effects of long-term chronic pot use in teenagers to young adults. The biggest…
Texas troubadour Josh Ward plays The Siren on Feb. 9
What passes for country music these days can be a real head scratcher. Sometimes it sounds like straight-up pop, complete with synthesizers, drum machines, and Auto-Tune. Other times it’s more rock ‘n’ roll posturing. If you’re wondering if there are any real country singers left, check out Josh Ward, who plays a Numbskull and Good…
Paso High principal is leaving in June
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District continues to experience challenges as its high school principal announced his departure on Jan. 31. Just a couple of months after the district’s former Superintendent Chris Williams’ Dec. 6 resignation, Paso Robles High School Principal Eric Martinez notified the district that he would be leaving. His last day will…
Glitterotica brings shimmer, burlesque, and sexual freedom to SLO Guild Hall
Shine on The Glitterotica Burlesque and Drag Show will be held at the SLO Guild Hall on Feb. 15 and 16. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Attendees must be 21 and over. Tickets range from $20 to $40. Beer from Libertine Brewing and food from the Zen Dog…
Marti murder suspect asks for new lawyer
The 36-year-old man charged with the murder of 26-year-old Kristen Marti appears to be dissatisfied with his current attorney. Robert William Koehler IV, who is facing a felony charge of murder in connection with Marti’s January 2018 death, filed a motion from SLO County Jail on Jan. 12 asking the judge in his case to…
Excess showcases the art and practices of Puerto Rico
On view The Topologies of Excess: A Survey of Contemporary Practices from Puerto Rico exhibit will be on display at Cuesta College’s Harold J. Miossi Gallery through Feb. 24. Admission is free, and the gallery is open on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and until 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Visitors must purchase a…
Paso Robles tackles short-term rentals
Community concerns sparked the Paso Robles City Council to adopt a short-term-rental urgency ordinance that goes into effect on Feb. 13. “Everybody thinks this is no problem; you live next door to a vacation rental like I do, that can sleep up to 11 people and can have 12 people during the day … the…
SLOMA expands board of directors
The San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) is adding six new members to its board of directors: Thomas Butler, superintendent at the Atascadero Unified School District; Brittany Darrow, wine club manager at Chamisal Vineyards; Lindsey Harn, realtor with Richardson Properties; Wyatt Lemons, small business consultant with Bank of America; Ben Taylor, viticulturist at Talley…
Correction
• In the Jan. 31 news brief, “Invasive pest prompts new citrus facility,” New Times mistakenly referred to Keith Watkins with the wrong title. He is the vice president of farming for Bee Sweet Citrus. Δ
Local libraries celebrate Book of the Year
San Luis Obispo County Libraries will be offering a series of free events as part of this year’s Book of the Year, an annual program presented by the academic senate of Cuesta College and the Library’s SLO Reads Program. This year’s featured book is Black Dove: Mama, Mi’jo and Me, by Ana Castillo. Discussions of…
Plains All American’s pipeline replacement faces environmetal groups’ opposition
As Plains All American Pipeline prepares to make the case for its proposal to replace more than 100 miles of oil pipeline across three counties, environmental groups are gearing up to fight against its approval. If approved, the project would allow the company to replace 123 miles of existing pipeline through SLO, Santa Barbara, and…
The Reboot hosts pop-up storytelling event
The Reboot hosts a Valentine’s Day-themed storytelling event on Feb. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Top Dog Coffee Bar in Morro Bay. The event includes storytellers local to the Central Coast sharing true stories on stage. The lineup includes Jean Moelter, Michael Kaplan, and host Rocky Ross. Admission is free. Call (805) 772-9225…
Mom-and-pop pot shop growing their business in SLO
Five members of the Zepeda family stood together in the sunlight streaming through the open door of a warehouse near the San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport. Andy “Papa Bear” Zepeda wore a black shirt with a bear paw in its center imposed over bands of Rastafarian red, yellow, and green. Shay Zepeda, his son,…
Museum on a hill: A visit to Hearst Castle is never a bad idea
Dream a little Take a partial tour of Hearst Castle for $25, which gets you a bus ride up the enchanted hill, an hour-long guided walk through some of the rooms, and time to roam around the outside of the property. For more info, visit hearstcastle.org. Wet and windy with an icy chill, the clouds…
‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ depicts World War I in colorized footage
THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy Peter Jackson directs this documentary about World War I with some formerly black and white archival footage colorized, and in some cases with sound and dialogue added, commemorating the centennial…
Demolition by neglect
“Demolition by neglect” is the term used to describe a situation in which a property owner intentionally allows a property to suffer severe deterioration, potentially beyond the point of repair. Property owners may use this kind of long-term neglect to circumvent historic preservation regulations. There are mechanisms in place to prevent this if the property…
Film Listings, 2/7/19 – 2/14/19
Editor’s note: Films at some theaters are subject to change starting Wednesday, Feb. 14. ALITA: BATTLE ANGEL What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it showing? Opens on Wednesday, Feb. 14, in Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 New Robert Rodriguez (El Mariachi, Spy Kids, Sin City, Planet Terror) directs this action adventure based on the graphic…
On being open minded
In my attempt to understand why some people think and act the way that they do, I have been reading on Wikipedia and various other sites about the occurrence of cognitive dissonance over the past few years. I discovered that one way cognitive dissonance (mental discomfort/psychological stress) can occur is when one’s beliefs, ideas, and…
Cheers to nearly five years of putting food (and my foot) in my mouth
The last burp Hayley Thomas Cain continues to work as a freelance writer and musician, only now while traveling around the country in her tricked out Dodge ProMaster van (husband and dogs in tow). She is currently looking for someone to adopt four industrious chickens. She can be reached now and forever after at hayleyvcain@gmail.com,…
Goodbye, San Luis Obispo
I loved SLO for 25-plus years. I live in Los Osos and loved going to many restaurants for lunch and dinner. Shopping on Higuera Street. Oh, and the farmers markets on Thursday and the Friday night concerts. Grabbing an ice cream or a cocktail. Thanks for taking away our parking. No more Court Street parking.…
Calories in
Kale can wait. Vina Robles Winery in Paso Robles will host a sugary Chocolate Jubilee at its impressive event center this Feb. 9, offerings include chocolate vendors and local wineries, wine and port tastings, chocolate confections, baked goods, and many more exquisite treats. Live music by Kevin Graybill tops off this benefit for Big Brothers…
An agenda of fear and hatred
I find it interesting that Mr. Fonzi (“The plague of false narratives,” Jan. 31) can actually embrace the truth when it supports his narrative. In this, he proves that he is at least a half step better than Mr. Trump. The only thing I would contest in his interpretation of the event that he wrote…
News nibs
Never enough pasta: Italian restaurant Piazza del Pane has opened a new location in downtown Paso Robles on Pine Street, formerly home to Villa Creek. Owner Milano Restaurants International also has three spots in Fresno. Will it stick in Paso Robles? Taste for yourself … Get your tickets now: Rick Springfield will perform at Rava…
An idea to deal with sand in Oceano
This letter is in response to Lucia Casalinuovo: “The removal of Oceano Beach” (Jan. 3) and in response to Cheryl Bennet, “We don’t need to cram the beach in Oceano with tourists” (Jan. 10). I agree with both Lucia and Cheryl, we are losing the beach to all those cars, and also just to Mother…
Feed yer heart
Grab your pookie and pucker up! Valentine’s festivities are slated for this year’s very sensual V-Day week, Feb. 14 through 16 all across the county! Check out a Valentine Wine Walk in Pismo Beach (Feb. 15), Vertical Valentine’s Dinner in the Wine Library at Cass Winery in Paso Robles (Feb. 16), Estate Angus Barbecue at…
Sloshing toward SLO
In 2015, a corroded Plains All American pipeline ruptured just north of Santa Barbara, disgorging 140,000 gallons of crude from three of ExxonMobil’s offshore platforms. The pipeline and platforms shut down, and Plains All American, responsible for 11 California oil spills over the previous decade, was convicted of a felony and multiple misdemeanors for its…
A final Pick PSA
I’d like to use my last “Hayley’s Pick” ever to, as I usually do, champion the need for all of us to support local small businesses. Yep, you’re going to have to eat your vegetables for dessert! Take notes. This will be on the test, and it’s worth more than half your grade. Local, independently…
County disputes officer-involved shooting lawsuit
SLO County is denying allegations in a federal civil rights lawsuit that two SLO County Sheriff’s deputies unlawfully shot and killed a man during a January 2017 traffic stop. In its response to the lawsuit, the county argued that deputies Jonathan Calvert and Greg Roach were justified when they shot and killed 34-year-old Josue Gallardo…
The good fight
There’s this thing that happens after it rains. Everything is wet. And it stays wet for a while, depending on the temperature, how much it rained, and whether it’s day or night. Let’s say—just, like, for instance—that the temperature drops below freezing. There’s this thing that happens to water when the temperature drops below freezing.…
Blast From The Past: Suspiria
When? 1977 What’s it rated? R Where’s it available? Tubi TV “The only thing more terrifying than the last 12 minutes of Suspiria are the first 92.” That’s a direct (and grammatically questionable) quote from the last few seconds of an astonishingly melodramatic and wonderfully vague trailer for the original Suspiria. Although I’d say that…
Eight cannabis businesses compete for retail licenses in SLO city
Eight businesses are vying for three coveted cannabis retail store permits in the city of San Luis Obispo, after the closing of a three-week cannabis application period on Jan. 29. SLO County’s only two open storefront dispensaries, Natural Healing Center and 805 Beach Breaks, in Grover Beach, have applied for second locations in SLO. Also…
Sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on our Jan. 31 news story, “SLO County conducts homelessness survey.”






