Cover Story
‘Corrupted’: Judge rules that Mindbody founder Rick Stollmeyer, Vista Equity shorted ex-stockholders $48 million in sale of company
Mindbody founder and ex-CEO Rick Stollmeyer is on the hook for up to $48 million in damages after a Delaware judge recently ruled that he “greased the wheels” for Vista Equity Partners to acquire the San Luis Obispo tech company for $1.9 billion in 2019. Stollmeyer and Vista were on trial last year as part…
Rapper Mickey Avalon brings his rhymes about drugs and prostitution to The Siren
“One, two, three, four, get your booty on the dance floor. Work it out, shake it little mama, let me see you do the Jane Fonda.” Like a lot of fans, I “discovered” rapper Mickey Avalon from his relentlessly catchy 2006 song “Jane Fonda,” off his self-titled solo debut. His whole shtick has always been…
Choice and real change
A letter from Mr. Mark Henry in the March 30 New Times (“Community Choice Energy is a scam”) reflects genuine environmental concerns, but also some common misunderstandings about Central Coast Community Energy’s mission and strategy for achieving 100 percent clean and renewable electricity generation by 2030. This is 15 years ahead of the state’s goal.…
Homelessness is impacting Grover Beach residents
Concerning the article written by Bulbul Rajagopal, who refers to the “vacant lot” on South 4th Street where homeless encampments already exist (“Grover Beach adopts ordinance to regulate homeless camping,” March 30): The photos and discussion by the council concerning setbacks was for the area on North 4th Street, not South 4th Street. That area…
Support the Dana Reserve housing development in Nipomo
As a local business owner in our community, I am deeply concerned about the lack of affordable housing options for our workforce. Many of my employees struggle to find affordable housing near our business, which not only affects their quality of life but also impacts our business’s ability to attract and retain talent. There is…
Join the Big Oil Resistance
If you missed the March 21 LA Times editorial “We’re cementing climate denial with every fossil fuel project,” it’s worth a read. Some highlights: “Global energy-related carbon emissions reached a record high last year, and another UN climate conference in Egypt last fall ended without an agreement to phase out fossil fuels.” “We may feel…
‘Om’ my god, it’s a scandal
Mindbody—the very name suggests connection and cooperation, like a meditating yogi sitting knotted like a pretzel chanting, “Om.” Started in little ol’ San Luis Obispo, the tech business sells software to help manage wellness and fitness enterprises such as gyms, spas, and salons. Many SLOcals thought when it came to fruition in 2000, it was…
SLO County lowers campaign contribution cap to $5,500 per donor
Future candidates for elected office in San Luis Obispo County will have new restrictions to follow when it comes to high-dollar campaign contributions. The SLO County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on April 4 to repeal a $25,000 cap it set for how much a single individual or entity could contribute to a candidate—opting instead…
The U.S. Forest Service works to repair Los Padres National Forest trails and roads after significant storm damages
Los Padres National Forest would have to spend $180 million to repair everything that was damaged in this winter’s storms. “That is an estimate of what it would cost to put everything back the way it was. Truth be told, we’re probably not going to be able to get that funding,” forest spokesperson Andrew Madsen…
New SLO hangout Schoolyard Burgers & Brew offers brunch, pub-style classics, and games galore
For food and fun Visit Schoolyard Burgers & Brew at The Wayfarer Hotel at 1800 Monterey St. Hours are 6 to 11 a.m. daily for breakfast and 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily for lunch and dinner. Brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, visit wayfarerslo.com. Follow…
Pismo Beach enters desal study, focus still on Central Coast Blue
Pismo Beach joined a local desalination feasibility study, completing the San Luis Obispo County-wide bandwagon to identify long-term water supply sources. The last to participate, the Pismo Beach City Council agreed on April 4 to support county efforts in the face of exiting two historic droughts and an uncharacteristically wet winter season, the flood control…
SLO High School Film Festival to showcase student-made movies at the Palm Theatre
Support the show The SLO High Film Festival will take place Wednesday, April 19, at the Palm Theatre (817 Palm St., San Luis Obispo) at 7 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door for $5, and donations are greatly encouraged! Visit slohs.slcusd.org for more information on the school and programs that brought this experience…
Woods Humane Society sees spike in puppy population
Woods Humane Society is reeling from a baby boom of a different kind. “It’s really drastic,” Communications Manager Jamie Relth said. “We’ve almost taken in [as many] puppies in the first quarter of the year as we do over the entire year.” Data from Woods Humane show that it brought in 107 puppies from January…
SLOMA presents new public art installation by Adam Parker Smith
On Saturday, April 15, the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) plans to unveil a new public art installation called David—a sculpture by contemporary artist Adam Parker Smith. The sculpture will be installed on the museum’s lawn, thanks to a partnership between SLOMA and the city of SLO. In a press release from the…
SLO and Paso Robles to participate in second round of national opioid settlements
San Luis Obispo County agreed to enter a nationally negotiated litigation settlement to receive funds to combat the ever-present opioid epidemic—and local cities are now deciding whether they want to sign on. On April 4, the SLO and Paso Robles city councils voted to participate in the proposed settlement with pharmaceutical companies. It’s expected to…
Fair Oaks Theatre screens locally-produced comedy, Trusting Chloe
An upcoming screening of Trusting Chloe at the Fair Oaks Theatre in Arroyo Grande will be followed by a special Q-and-A session with some members of the film’s cast and crew—made up of more than 60 San Luis Obispo County-based actors and filmmakers. Tickets to the screening—which will take place on Saturday, April 15, from…
SLO County to apply for grant to address Paso’s Salinas Riverbed encampment
The Salinas River in Paso Robles has a nagging problem: The homeless population that has lived in the river for years has produced waste that continues to increase. Despite the best efforts of the city to keep the river clean, officials with the city and SLO County are concerned that it’s no longer an issue…
A Thousand and One is a stirring story of a troubled mother
A THOUSAND AND ONE What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhere’s it showing? The Palm Theatre In her feature-length debut, writer-director A.V. Rockwell helms this love letter to mothers. Inez (Teyana Taylor) kidnaps her 6-year-old son, Terry (Aaron Kingsley Adetola), from the foster care system to restart their…
Residents in Arroyo Grande prepare for a city-wide beautification event called ‘We Heart AG’
Arroyo Grande is anticipating spring cleaning, and the community is looking forward to it. So much so, that residents call it “We Heart AG”. “I was hearing from a lot of people that they wanted to volunteer in some capacity but didn’t have full time to commit because they have families and careers,” said Arroyo…
Hello Tomorrow!
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Apple TV+ Billy Crudup takes the stage as Jack Billings, a slick salesman who hocks condos on the moon. The retro-futuristic world the show makers have built for us in Hello Tomorrow! is very cool looking—vintage cars that hover off the ground, Mad Men style costuming—it’s…
The Night Agent
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix In this action thriller, low-level FBI Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) is tasked with helming the “Night Action” phone in the basement of The White House. If an agent calls, Peter’s job is merely to direct needed resources. Most of the time he quietly analyzes…
