Cover Story
Fit to print? Defamation trial highlights the complicated legacy of CalCoastNews
“We work in the public interest.” Karen Velie repeated a credo that many journalists live by from her seat on the witness stand in SLO County Superior Court. As she answered another pointed question from an opposing attorney, Velie—a reporter, owner, and cofounder of CalCoastNews—was flanked by the massive display of a 2012 article she…
SLO city manager, fire chief fined for offensive video
SLO City Council fined City Manager Katie Lichtig $2,659 and Fire Department Chief Garret Olson $5,442 for their roles in producing a spoof video that sexualized male firefighters and aired at the Jan. 21 SLO Chamber of Commerce annual dinner. An outside investigation into the video concluded that Lichtig and Olson violated the city’s anti-discrimination…
Local indie-pop act Fialta plays an EP release show on April 14 at SLO Brew
When it comes to crafting pop gems, Fialta gets it. Like the Swedish pop act Abba, Fialta is a two-couple band that meshes together so perfectly it’s nearly preternatural! The local quartet—David Provenzano and Michael Leibovich (formerly of Sherwood), and their spouses Sarah Shotwell and Beth Clements, respectively—will release a brand new five-song EP, Hell…
Priorities
While the SLO County Board of Supervisors has been dithering over who should get to be the board chair or on this committee or that, or whether it’s OK to fleece all county taxpayers of $6 million to specifically benefit Paso Groundwater Basin users, or if Nipomo is getting its fair share of recreational facility…
Principles of a liberal democracy
Setting aside his misogynistic remarks, I want to thank Gary Wechter (“Thump Trump,” April 6) for encouraging more people to read my opinion piece, “Assigning Blame,” from March 16. Obviously, I am not the only one feeling angst. Just look at Trump’s dismal approval ratings. But it’s not just the Trump situation (a disaster unto…
A gift of public funds
The article in the April 6 edition of New Times, “Supes vote ‘no’ on investigation, ‘yes’ on groundwater subsidies,” by Peter Johnson was an informative article, but the headline was inaccurate. The words “gift of public funds” would have been more accurate. Government subsidies are OK when there is a proven direct benefit accruing to…
Not an option
Once again, in his attempt to shill for the Phillips 66 rail terminal project, Mr Fonzi presents his own set of facts (March 30, “You still aren’t safe”). He can have his own opinion, but not his own facts. He opines that the tar sands crude that would be coming down the tracks through San…
Internment bribes
Your main story on April 6 about the concentration camps for American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II was very well written (“Imprisoning our own”). However, as great as President Roosevelt was during his first term, you failed to mention certain important details about his dishonesty and racism, which played a part in…
Biodynamic bash: Experience an earthy escape at Branch Mill Organic Farm on April 15
Rolling down the dirt driveway into Branch Mill Organic Farm, I am instantly captivated by the sheer abundance of color. Fresh from recent rains and flush with spring possibility, the brushstrokes of Mother Earth are staggeringly beautiful. Bold poppies have taken over the entire entrance to the farmhouse, nestled within Arroyo Grande’s green and brown…
Simple spring salsa verde you’ll put on everything
You know how a cold Mexican beer just tastes better when you’re lounging at the beach pretending not to notice all those outrageously teeny tiny speedos and thongs? The same goes for green salsa, which just tastes better at the height of spring on the Central Coast. Why? For one it’s called salsa verde for…
News nibbles
Local hero: Ubatuba in SLO is under new ownership, but will continue to serve up authentic acai bowls, smoothies, and empanadas made the Brazilian way (or the Cali way, whatever you prefer). If you get a chance, stop by and say hello to new owner Marty Cano, who has lived and loved in SLO since…
What are your thoughts on the CalCoastNews libel verdict?
Ed Griffith innkeeper at Heritage Inn “Get your facts straight before you print or publish online. The world is so small with communication that at a push of a button, you can say anything about anyone and blacken their name.” Steve Akers communications director “I think they got what they deserved.” Karen Watton retired “You…
Blast from the Past: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie
When? 1995 | What’s it rated? PG | Where’s it available? DVD. For the last 10 years or so, Hollywood’s been mining the depths of millennial nostalgia in hopes of striking gold. With the success of rebooting well-loved childhood cartoon franchises like Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and GI Joe, it was only a matter…
Passionate fighting
Sitting in the corner, at the edge of the bright red ring, is Julia Perez. It’s where she feels most comfortable speaking with New Times about her favorite sport. Perez is a lean, muscular female who is full of warm smiles and recently won her fourth championship in amateur Muay Thai fighting. There are many…
Hitchin’ a ride: Local regulations remain silent on rideshare services
Even though the use of app-based ridesharing services like Lyft and Uber continues to increase, you’d be hard pressed to find them mentioned in local municipal regulations. While most, if not all, of SLO County’s cities have ordinances and fees for permitting, licensing, and regulating taxi companies and drivers, many do not provide the same…
SLO residents prep for legal fight with city over development at 71 Palomar Ave.
Canopies of oaks, eucalyptuses, pines, and at least five other tree species tower over San Luis Obispo’s historic Sandford House. Their intertwining branches sway in a late afternoon wind, just as they have for decades. The 1.3-acre property is home to 59 trees—including one Norfolk pine taller than 90 feet—and they provide nesting habitat for…
Medical marijuana business hopes to join Paso chamber
Like any other respectable businessman, Matty Goodman likes to hand out business cards for his company. They are slick, professionally designed, and come with an expertly rolled joint. Goodman is the owner of Seed of Health Wellness Center, a medical marijuana delivery business that recently started operating in Paso Robles. While his business cards might…
SLO Supes pass oak woodland protection ordinance
Longtime San Luis Obispo County residents, like multi-generational farmers Irv and Coralie McMillan, were quick to inject a little bit of history into the highly anticipated decision before the SLO County Board of Supervisors on April 11 of whether to adopt a permanent ordinance protecting native oak woodlands from clear-cutting. The McMillans and other speakers…
Victim Witness Assistance Center celebrates 40 years
In recognition of victim’s rights awareness month and the SLO County’s Victim Witness Assistance Center’s 40th anniversary, District Attorney Dan Dow held a rally on April 12, renaming the center in honor of former SLO County DA Christopher Money. Money paved the way in 1977 to create the first assistance center of its kind in…
Los Osos CSD poised to hike water rates
Facing a revenue shortfall, the Los Osos Community Services District (LOCSD) is gearing up to raise its water rates—again. On April 11, the LOCSD board of directors directed district staff to set a June 15 hearing and issue public notice per Proposition 218 (which essentially requires public notice and approval for rate changes) to pave…
Inmate spent hours in restraint chair prior to death
A 36-year-old SLO County Jail inmate died of a blood clot after spending nearly 48 hours in a restraint chair, according to documents obtained by New Times. Andrew Holland was found unresponsive in one of the jail’s observation cells on Jan. 22. He died less than an hour after he was released from the restraint…
When words become weapons
When the left begins to discuss integrity and ethics, you should immediately check your wallet, credit cards, spouse, and probably your dog, as nothing is safe once they begin to prognosticate upon morality in politics. Remember, these are the same folks who re-defined the very definition of perjury before a federal magistrate as not really…
Purple rain in SLO
Groove to one of the beloved artists stolen by 2016 at the Let’s Go Crazy! Prince Tribute show at SLO Brew on April 21 from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition to music by Prince, there will be covers of Prince tunes and music in the spirit and vein of Prince. Costumes are encouraged,…
Traveling show
Come together in the name of art and community for just one afternoon at the Peddler’s Theatre on April 30 at 2:30 p.m. at Harmony House Yoga in Pismo Beach. Peddlers Jan Smith and Betty Seaman are traveling from their high desert and mountain homes in Southern California to share their original live music, stories,…
Get cultured
Only the wise know that they don’t really know anything at all. When Rita, a working class 46-year-old British hairdresser, realizes she hasn’t been exposed to enough culture in Educating Rita, she decides that the answer is in a few literature and poetry classes at the local university. But Frank, Rita’s alcoholic tutor and lecturer,…
Pure peddle power: Eroica California celebrated vintage bicycles with a display and ride in Paso Robles
It’s Saturday, April 8, and I’m in Paso Robles’ downtown park surrounded by vintage bicycles. Dozens are on display as part of Eroica California, a vintage cycling event inspired by L’Eroica, Italian for “The Heroic,” a 127-mile ride that happens annually in Gaiole, a Tuscan town that’s also Paso’s “sister city.” Today is the Concours…
Art for all: Autistic students’ work on display for Art on the Spectrum Gala
Sometimes the smallest accommodation can make the biggest difference. Tyler Skinner, mother to an autistic child and an event planner in San Luis Obispo, knows this to be true. After working to represent local artist Sydney Hall and brainstorming for an event to promote the annual Walk for Autism, it clicked: What if kids like…
Up close and public: SLO artist captures shared moments in community spaces
The right moment spent waiting, thinking, or reading at a coffee shop can feel like one’s own private universe—but of course anyone could be watching. San Luis Obispo-based artist Julie Frankel is a self-proclaimed people watcher. Years ago when Frankel was a shy student studying graphic design, she found her studio too quiet to study…
Clubs 4/13/17 – 4/20/17
Goin’ South THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach, 773-5000, cliffsresort.com. FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.: Singer/Songwriter Night every Wed. from 8-10pm. 1462 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, 474-8525, figmtnbrew.com. 4/14: Bear Market Riot from 8:30-11pm; 4/15: Jacob Westfall from 8:30-11pm; 4/22: Jacob Westfall from 8:30-11pm. HARRY’S NIGHT CLUB AND BEACH BAR: Cypress and…
