Cover Story
Bloom or bust: An inside look at the emerging legal cannabis industry in SLO County
Austen Connella and Kristin Kordich’s family cannabis farm isn’t easy to find—and that was the idea. It’s tucked away in the Suey Creek valley, several miles east of Nipomo, in one of San Luis Obispo County’s remote nooks and crannies. Amid virtually untouched rolling hills and oak woodlands, Connella and Kordich bought the land in…
Old time grub
Dine like it’s 1858: Pozo Saloon in Pozo will re-open May 5 with a slant toward hot barbecue and cold beer. The 160-year-old building will always be remembered as a rockin’ event venue (thanks to valiant efforts by former owners Rhonda Beanway and her husband, Brian). The new owners are aiming to serve up Central…
Film Listings 4/19/18 – 4/26/18
BLACK PANTHER What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full price Where’s it showing? Galaxy Pick Co-writer/director Ryan Coogler (Creed) helms this story about T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), a newly crowned king of the technologically advanced but isolationist country of Wakanda, who finds his new kinghood challenged by Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), a vengeful victim…
Lovely day
No sweater required: The weather is feeling oh so spring-tastic, so strolling the downtown SLO Farmers Market is in order! Make sure you bring a reusable cup and straw and don’t forget to stop by on the third Thursday of every month for info on discovering healthy living (meet with registered dietitians and get the…
North County health clinic closed due to pressure from activists, says Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood officials claim that a SLO County nonprofit backed out of a partnership to address critical health care needs in North SLO County due to pressure from opponents of the reproductive health organization. In an email obtained by New Times, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast President Jenna Tosh said the organization had to close…
Sharing optional
Dough-nock it ’till you try it: Cool Cat Cafe in Pismo Beach and SLO has unveiled a delightfully artery-clogging concoction that will surely not help you get a better beach body. Thanks to a partnership with SLO Donut Co. and Surfside Donuts, the cafe’s new donut burger—with bacon, sharp cheddar, fried egg, Sriracha mayo, and…
Cal Poly suspends all Greek life amid blackface photo fallout
Cal Poly placed all 27 of its fraternity and sorority chapters on indefinite suspensions April 17, amid continued campus outrage over a photo of a Lambda Chi Alpha member in blackface that spread across the county and country. “Greek life is a privilege at this university,” Cal Poly President Jeffrey Armstrong wrote in a letter…
Salt, shot, lime!
OK, these aren’t “shots” at all. If you’re thinking, “shots,” I highly recommend a plethora of SLO County watering holes instead. This event—hosted at the Gardens of Avila—is a tequila “tasting.” If you’ve never approached tequila with much class, you’re in for a treat. Like fine wine (or even fine craft beer), different tequilas shine…
Avila residents protest against development
At the April 17 San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting, a quarter of the room was filled with blue-shirt-wearing activists concerned about future development in Avila Beach. Concerned Citizens for Avila presented supervisors with 2,047 signatures on a petition against any large development in the beach town. “We’re not opposed to development in…
Grover Beach closer to lowering cannabis taxes
Attempting to maintain a competitive advantage in what it hopes will be a booming industry, a divided Grover Beach City Council is one step closer to lowering taxes for the city’s nascent cannabis businesses. Members of the council voted 3-2 on April 16 to direct city staff to develop an ordinance that cuts tax rates…
Trigger warning
Two years ago, before his first visit to Cal Poly, I wrote the university’s president to express my disgust at Cal Poly hosting Milo Yiannopoulos. In it, I described the emotional turbulence of my youth as I was subjected to conversion therapy, physical and mental torture aimed at altering one’s behaviors and sexual orientation in…
Cal Shasta fire victims can rebuild lake homes, counties say
Monterey and San Luis Obispo county supervisors agreed on April 17 to allow eight Cal Shasta property owners to rebuild Lake Nacimiento homes decimated by the Chimney Fire, despite their locations inside a Monterey flood easement. The votes put an end to what became a contentious standoff between lakeside residents and Monterey officials, where the…
Punish them all
Dear white people who don’t think blackface is racist: Open a history book. These people include Wesley “NOBODY GIVES A SHIT” Murphy, who mansplained in a post on New Times’ Facebook page that we were forcing “people to be offended by face paint until we’ve ruined some kid’s life” by publishing a story about a…
GALA mulls name change
One of SLO County’s most prominent LGBTQIA organizations is considering changing its name to better represent a broader spectrum of the community it serves. In a recent survey, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance of the Central Coast (GALA) asked its members whether the nonprofit advocacy organization should change its name. The surveys also asked participants…
Criminals, not guns, commit crimes
I respectfully disagree with the recent commentary in New Times by Pat Veesart (“A modest proposal,” March 29). The purpose of the U.S. Constitution is to limit the power of government and to protect the individual rights of all Americans. The purpose of the Second Amendment is not to deter crime but to deter an…
Head to head: Parkinson and Clayton hold first debate in race for SLO County sheriff
Those who couldn’t find a seat lined the walls and eventually spilled out into the lobby of the San Luis Obispo County Government Center on April 11. They were there to see the first debate in the race for SLO County sheriff, pitting incumbent Ian Parkinson against his challenger, former police officer and current private…
Shutting the door you walked through
After mischaracterizing and misrepresenting Audrey McClish’s opinion piece, Gary Wechter goes on to offer little besides non sequiturs and name-calling in defense of Trump’s thuggish and un-American “America first” rhetoric (“I’m unconvinced that ‘America first’ is for losers,” April 12). Ms. McClish did not “champion no control whatsoever” over immigration. She explicitly said, it “is…
One local company is working on making new kayaking possibilities for people with limited strength or endurance.
Meg McCall’s dad, Jim Van Gompel, has always been an outdoorsman. He does however have diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and an amputated leg. But at 87 years old, that hasn’t stopped him from enjoying his love of nature. Several years ago, Gompel took up kayaking, but McCall said her father was finding it difficult to…
CCAT’s ‘Bus Stop’ captures a different time
All aboard Bus Stop will show at the Cambria Center for the Arts Theatre through May 6. Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for members, and $20 for non-members. Visit cambriacenterforthearts.org for more information. “It was a different time … .” It’s a sentence that can explain away myriad social ills from decades past, though…
Shun the character assassins
It’s hard to remember a more bitter and caustic election season than this one. Leave it to the “Progressives,” Adam Hill, and some Trilogy NIMBYs on the Nipomo Mesa to heap their constant nasty vitriol on 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton in their efforts at character assassination. A case in point is the recent letter…
Arrange flowers at 7 Sisters Brewing
Celebrate the spring season with some hops at the Brews and Blooms event and 7Sisters Brewing in San Luis Obispo on April 22 from 4 to 6 p.m. Hosted by Alice’s Table, this workshop will ring in Earth Day by teaching participants how to make a beautiful floral arrangement. 7Sisters Brewing will be offering $1…
Stop sanctuary status in SLO County
My father was first-generation Italian, and my mother was born in Italy. Abandoned by her mother, she lived in poverty while her father earned money to bring her to America. My parents loved this country and were thankful every single day to be here and came in through Ellis Island legally. What I see today…
Songbird Dulcie Taylor releases ‘Better Part of Me’ on April 21, at Luna Red
“Deceit has many faces. It can even look like love/ When you crossed the line, I ignored the signs/ What was I thinking of?” Atascadero resident Dulcie Taylor sings on “The Moon Is Cold,” a track off her new album Better Part of Me. “When a deceiving nature is coupled with a smart mind, look…
The Hunchback of Notre Dame comes to PCPA
Step into the world of Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer, at PCPA’s musical production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Showing from April 26 to May 13, this classic tale is directed by Brad Carroll and stars Nick Tubbs as Quasimodo. Inspired by Victor Hugo’s gothic novel and songs from the Disney animated film, this story…
Let’s raise the level of political discourse
I was listening to the Dave Conglaton show on KVEC. He discussed the SLO County 4th District supervisorial race between incumbent Lynn Compton and challenger Jimmy Paulding. Dave said that a proposed forum featuring these two has been postponed because of scheduling conflicts by the organizers. Dave stated that Lynn chose not to attend the…
Art at High Noon with Patti Robbins
Get your brown bag lunch and head to the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art on May 3 for Art at High Noon with Patti Robbins. Meet Robbins, who will discuss her exhibition of still-life paintings, Passion for Color and Pattern. With produce and flowers from her garden, she creates vibrant arrangements that translate into…
It’s up to us
The agencies tasked with protecting our drinking water have failed us, and it’s time for us to step up as concerned citizens. The Arroyo Grande aquifer, which lies beneath the Arroyo Grande oilfield, is at risk. It’s a current and future source of drinking water that is protected under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA),…
The Central Coast Aquarium is fascinating and educational
Sea for yourself The Central Coast Aquarium, located at 50 San Juan St., in Avila Beach, is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. General admission is $8. Call for more information or to arrange special events at (805) 595-7280, or visit centralcoastaquarium.com for more info. It’s Friday, April 13, and I’m…
Social media sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts about our April 19 story, “Tax rates on cannabis are being reconsidered before the local industry even opens its doors.”
Leigh Rubin designs cartoon signs for SLO Botanical Garden, launches new show
SLO creative Spot Leigh Rubin’s whimsical bunny signs at the SLO Botanical Garden, which is open to the public every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information on Drawing Inspiration, visit rubescartoons.com. Famed Nipomo-based cartoonist Leigh Rubin is a cowman. Heifers make regular appearances in Rubes, his daily cartoon that’s syndicated in…
‘Isle of Dogs’ is a charmer
ISLE OF DOGS What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? The Palm, Park, Galaxy Wes Anderson (Rushmore, The Royal Tenenbaums, The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Moonrise Kingdom) directs this stop-motion animated tale about Atari Kobayashi (Koyu Rankin), a young…
Vintage Cheese Company is all about ancient recipes, modern handiwork, and California milk
A fabulous vintage Vintage Cheese Company is open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and can be reached by emailing info@vintagecheese.com or calling (559) 897-4634. For more information, go to vintagecheese.com. “We live where others vacation.” Yes, this is a somewhat annoying thing some Central Coast residents say. Of course, this isn’t so much…
Underrated: Stanford Prison Experiment
When? 2015 What’s it rated? R Where’s it available? Streaming on Netflix Jails are front and center in our local news right now, so when I was perusing Netflix for a film to review in New Times this week, the 2015 independent flick Stanford Prison Experiment immediately piqued my interest. Of course, anyone who’s taken…
