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Atascadero evolution: The city’s downtown is getting a facelift this summer, while staff work on a vision for Atascadero’s future
With the Salinas River marking the city’s eastern boundary and the Santa Lucia Range to the west, Atascadero can’t really grow outward. Couple that with emergency access, wildfire risk, and sewer service capabilities, and the options narrow even further. “We have to go inward. We don’t have a lot of buildable land,” Community Development Director…
Nipomo’s Phillips 66 refinery is taking steps toward demolition
Oil giant Phillips 66’s San Francisco Refinery in Contra Costa County no longer processes crude oil—a change that’s impacted San Luis Obispo County. Aimee Henry, the company’s communications director, told New Times that the transformation aligned with the state’s environmental goals and market conditions. “The Rodeo Renewable Energy Complex [formerly the San Francisco Refinery] supports…
Friendly Neighborhood Big Band pays tribute to Frank Sinatra at benefit concert
The Nipomo Community Presbyterian Church presents the Friendly Neighborhood Big Band live in concert on Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. The local ensemble will perform covers of popular songs made famous by Frank Sinatra during the program, titled Sinatra: The Music of Frank Sinatra. According to the 16-piece band’s Facebook page, the featured members…
SLO updates sewer code to help aging system and reduce costs
The city of San Luis Obispo took extra measures to remain not only in compliance with a settlement agreement concerning its aging sewer system but also in good graces with its residents. “Nobody likes the program, I get it. It’s an administrative burden for the city,” Deputy Director of Wastewater Chris Lehman said on April…
Constellation makes quantum mechanics entertaining
CONSTELLATION What’s it rated? TV-MAWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhere’s it showing? Apple TV Plus Created by Peter Harness (Wallander, Doctor Who) based on a concept by Sean Jablonski (Nip/Tuck), this sci-fi psychological thriller/mystery follows astronaut Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace) who after a deadly accident on the International Space Station…
Former Cuesta College employee sues for retaliation, emotional distress
A former Cuesta College employee is suing the school and multiple employees, alleging retaliation and emotional distress. Andrew Kranes, who worked as a general maintenance worker at Cuesta College for five years, wrote complaints to the SLO County District Attorney’s Office in November 2021 about fellow employees he alleged were misusing college supplies for personal…
Singin’ in the Rain
What’s it rated? G When? 1952 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on April 6 (1:30, 4:15, 7, and 9:30 p.m.), April 7 (1:30, 4:15, and 7 p.m.), and April 8 (7 p.m.) Ah, Hollywood! This classic rom-com musical stars Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds as performers—and perform they…
Administrative bloat
I was hired as an assistant professor by Cal Poly in the late ’70s. I did not know then how fortunate I was to be an academic in a period when we still took for granted that universities were institutions of learning, with the number of faculty significantly greater than the number of administrators. The…
Protect Morro Bay from further industrial use
About the proposed battery storage plant at Morro Bay and the city’s environmental impact report: When I read the project’s only “significant and unavoidable” impact would be to remove a historical resource, I thought of course that meant Morro Rock. No! It meant the smokestacks. I could not believe my eyes at the incredibly ugly…
Road House
What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime Doug Limon (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) directs this “not quite a remake” about a bouncer hired to clean up a fight-prone bar who ends up saving an entire community. It’s basically a Western, as this version self-reflexively acknowledges through future imperiled child…
Arroyo Grande could deny a domestic water well despite protests in its favor
Michael Harris has been fighting the city of Arroyo Grande for a year and a half. He wants to drill a domestic water well on his property, but city staff isn’t keen on it. “I definitely think there is individual discrimination going on for sure,” Harris told New Times. “I think that’s without question; I…
SLO is losing trees to development
Next time you’re up on north Monterey Street in San Luis Obispo, I’d like to suggest that you take a little field trip. Take a gander at the north side of the 1400 block, the gorgeous, hillside former home of Central Coast Brewing and Cambria Bikes. Enjoy the view of the 54 mature, healthy trees…
Cake specialist Trina Galvan opens Drizzle Bakery in SLO
Open for orders Drizzle Bakery is located at The Kitchen Terminal at 4750 Allene Way in San Luis Obispo. To place an order, visit Facebook or Instagram @drizzle_bakery_llc. Pickup is offered on Saturday morning or by special arrangement, or customers can order select items via harvestly.org. For weddings and special events, delivery can be arranged…
Hot potato
When I grow up, I want to be a nuclear semiotician. These brainiacs try to design messages to future people to warn them not to mess with our spent nuclear fuel like the casks at Diablo Canyon Power Plant. When you think about it, homo sapiens emerged just 300,000 years ago, developed agriculture 12,000 years…
Alt-country heroes Old 97’s play a Good Medicine and Numbskull show on April 8 in The Siren
I’ve been a fan of Old 97’s for decades. As far as I’m concerned, they were the original alt-country act of the mid-’90s, but maybe that’s because they were the first alt-country act I heard. Their debut, Hitchhike to Rhome, was unlike anything else, and they’ve gone on to a long and storied career. If…
California bars and clubs must offer drug testing kits for common date-rape drugs starting July 1
Bars and clubs across California will soon offer a new safety precaution for customers to help protect them from getting roofied. Beginning July 1, Assembly Bill 1013 will require establishments with a Type 48 license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) to have drug-testing kits available for common date-rape drugs and signs…
Local artist Chloe Arline brings her dreams to life with paint
Books and art MYLR Galley and Books is located at 1238 Monterey St. in SLO and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit mylrgallery.com. For those interested in learning more about Chloe Arline’s work, visit her Instagram page @chloe.arline. Dreams are often forgotten, but what if there…
The SLO County Board of Supervisors recommended a 20-year extension of Diablo Canyon operations
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution recommending two decades more of operations at Diablo Canyon Power Plant despite it not yet meeting requirements for the existing five-year extension. “This resolution is based on activity that’s been happening around the world and in the nation,” 3rd District Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg said…
Arroyo Grande’s Monarch Books hosts local author fair
Six writers are slated to participate in the upcoming Local Author Book Faire at Monarch Books in Arroyo Grande on Sunday, April 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission to attend the event is free. Attendees of the local author fair will have the opportunity to purchase books by the program’s featured authors, who will…
