Cover Story
55 Fiction 2022: Read some of the world’s shortest stories and the winners of our annual contest
Every year brings a new batch of teeny, tiny stories complete with plots, details, characters, and surprise twists. Murder, love, the life of pets, commentary on current events, and cake all get encapsulated in 55 words or less. Some of our authors are first-timers, some are seasoned 55 Fiction vets, some are locals, and some…
Vampires
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 1998 Where’s it showing? Netflix Reeling from his July 22 box-office hit Nope, Jordan Peele brushed off compliments calling him the best horror movie director of all time. That title should go to John Carpenter, according to him. Serendipitously, Netflix recommended that I should watch Vampires—Carpenter’s “independent neo-Western horror” beloved…
Kiki’s Delivery Service
What’s it rated? G When? 1989 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre of San Luis Obispo (Sunday, July 31, at 3 p.m.), Regal Edwards Santa Maria & RPX (Sunday, July 31, at 3 p.m.), HBO Max From animation auteur Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, My Neighbor Totoro), this 1989 fantasy follows 13-year-old Kiki (voiced by…
Leo Leo Gelato brings a sweet, creamy taste of Italy to Paso Robles and beyond
Beat the heat Stroll into Leo Leo Gelato’s scoop shop at the Paso Market Walk on 1803 Spring St., Paso Robles. You can also grab an 8 ounce container or pint from SLO Provisions on Monterey St. in SLO. Follow Leo Leo on Instagram, @leoleogelato, and Facebook, @LeoLeoGelato. Master gelatier and Paso Robles native Niccolo…
Growing up with guns
A response to John Donegen’s gun article on July 14. As a teenager in south Texas in the early 1950s, I grew up among guns. They were just a natural part of things. Every household seemed to have some. Our kitchen pantry, for example, housed a .30-06 deer rifle because my old man had once…
San Luis Obispo should help fund a portion of parklets
I stand to be corrected, but I believe that the city of San Francisco created a sub-committee for parks and it funds a portion of the parklets, and the owner of the building nearest to it also pays. Maybe we can create that for San Luis? Cassandra Bodlak San Luis Obispo
Donegan’s commentary on guns is exactly how I feel
Right on, Mr. Donegan!! When people realize that it’s the idiots behind the guns that cause the problems and the existing laws that are not properly enforced, then understanding the problems will not be changed (“Conservatives and guns,” July 14). Plus, without the care and treatment of the mentally impaired, the problems will not be…
We must elect democracy champions in the midterms
The Jan. 6, 2021, attack on our nation wasn’t a random act by a handful of sore losers, but a premeditated and organized insurrection. Now, thanks to the hearings, there’s overwhelming evidence that Trump and his allies were at the helm of it. We heard from former members of the Trump administration and Republican state…
Pismo Beach police, Paso Robles pot, and perverse projectiles
Nothing humanizes the police more than a salacious story about a torrid affair gone wrong, amirite? Such stories remind us that police are people just like you and me (Well, not me. I’m an office machine devoid of sexual needs). You and police officers, on the other hand, need on-duty oral sex and have favorite…
Mid-State Fair’s agreement to purchase Pioneer Park from Paso Robles is uncertain
As last-minute preparations came together for “the biggest little fair anywhere,” the Paso Robles City Council was deciding the fate of a seven-year-long negotiation with the California Mid-State Fair over Pioneer Park. “This agreement in its current form—while it was great in 2015, it doesn’t pass the mustard in 2022, and we need to rescind…
Pismo Beach police officer resigns after complaint cites on-duty sexual relations
A one-time KSBY reporter filed a citizen’s complaint against Pismo Beach Police Department Sgt. Adrian Souza (who’s since resigned) about his conduct during their personal relationship that spanned between July 2020 and January 2022. In a letter to Police Chief Jeff Smith dated Feb. 15, the woman mentioned that her interaction with Souza began after…
Paso Robles moves closer to allowing recreational cannabis dispensaries
With the potential to bring in almost $1 million in revenue from recreational cannabis storefronts, Paso Robles is planning to host community meetings in August and September to get input on potential regulations that could allow commercial dispensaries to operate in the city. Paso Mayor Steve Martin said he’s heard from several residents who are…
SLO mobile crisis unit, new crisis lifeline aim to improve mental health services
The city of San Luis Obispo is accepting all the help it can get to improve mental health services in the region. In June, SLO rolled out a mobile crisis unit to prevent and reduce homelessness. Unlike the SLO Community Action Team (CAT) that’s more proactive and patrols areas, the mobile crisis unit is response-oriented…
Los Osos Cares partners with resource groups to improve conditions for low-income employees
Attending the Undocu Summit at Laguna Middle School on April 2 presented Los Osos Cares Executive Director Linda Quesenberry with a startling thought. “As I was sitting there in my little booth and talked to people, I realized that our area here—from Morro Bay to Cambria—doesn’t have a lot of farmworkers,” said the longtime farmworker…
Carolyn Dismuke documents two-year wine country pilgrimage across California in new book, Drink Your Words
A taste odyssey Find out more about Drink Your Words and its author, Carolyn Dismuke, at carolyndismuke.com. Dismuke will be signing copies of the book at Sea Shell Cellars in Paso Robles on July 29 at 5:30 p.m. and at the Hitching Post II in Buellton on July 30 at noon. The first chapter of…
Rilo Kiley lead singer Jenny Lewis plays BarrelHouse Brewing on July 28
Imagine an embarrassing childhood photo, the kind your mom likes to take out and show relatives to humiliate you. Now image your childhood photos were broadcast for the world to see—you in your adorably dorky Girl Scout uniform, you in bangs with Pippi Longstocking pigtails, you with Lucille Ball. OK, that last one would probably…
SLO Rep debuts latest production, Steel Magnolias, and holds summer youth classes
The San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre (SLO Rep) presents its production of Steel Magnolias, which is scheduled to premiere on Friday, July 29, and run through Sunday, Aug. 14. Performances will be held every Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m. each evening, and every Saturday and Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. Helmed by director Suzy…
Thor: Love and Thunder is full of wonder
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Bulbul? Full price What’s it worth, Caleb? Full price Where’s it showing? SLO Downtown Center Cinemas, Regal Arroyo Grande, Park Cinemas A galactic serial killer (Christian Bale) seeks the extinction of the gods, including Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the god of thunder, in this cosmic…
Barrelhouse Brewing Co. in Paso Robles hosts Paint, Pints, and Art Trivia
Paint, Pints, and Art Trivia takes place at Barrelhouse Brewing Co. in Paso Robles on Wednesday, Aug. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. Artists from ArtSocial 805 will instruct participants during the painting portion of the event. Admission is $45, which includes a beverage. Prizes will be awarded during trivia. Visit barrelhousebrewing.com for more info.…
