Cover Story
Feeding kids on the coast: Educational institutions on the Central Coast work to keep their kids of all ages fed
Waylon Watson, 2, and his mom, Brianne Watson, sit in the shade on the steps in front of the San Luis Obispo County Library. He slowly nibbles on an apple that came from a white paper bag. Children gasp in disbelief at a magician in the library’s community center that is to the right of…
Home by the water: Skipper’s Brew Coffee House in Morro Bay
About a year ago, Larry and Ivy Schmidt were working full-time jobs just like everyone else. Working to have their home, working to clothe and feed themselves and their children. It was the same old grind. Larry was a mechanic and Ivy a teacher. “We were just caught up in working all the time and…
DANA Adobe seeks paintings of Milford Zornes
If you have any of Milford Zornes’ paintings, and are willing to share them with the public, the DANA Adobe Cultural Center would like to display the local artist’s work at its upcoming exhibit. Zornes was one of the original members of the California Scene Painters movement from the 1930s through the 1960s, lived on…
Sensory friendly fun
Join the Paso Robles Children’s Museum and The Central Coast Autism Spectrum Center for a sensory friendly night of fun on Aug. 2, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Siblings and friends are also welcome. Children can enjoy access to the museum, with less stimulating lights and noises than on a normal day. The Central Coast…
Chorro and Marsh
Many architectural blunders can be disguised or covered up but not a building that is 75 feet tall. Seven stories in downtown San Luis Obispo. The city is poised to allow a developer to increase maximum height from 50 to 75 feet in exchange for the inclusion of “affordable/workforce” housing plus two choices from a…
Enjoy a teen watercolor workshop in Morro BAy
Learn from award-winning artist Tom Winans at Art Center Morro Bay during a landscape watercolor painting workshop on Aug. 7 from 1 to 3 p.m. and a seascape watercolor painting session on Aug. 9 from 1 to 3 p.m. Winans will provide mini demonstrations of painting techniques, then students will practice before applying them to…
Thanks to a good Samaritan!
On a very positive note, I want to thank the person who turned in my disabled sister’s cellphone in to the Atascadero Police Department. Really, really appreciated. Also, I want to thank APD for making the effort to contact us to let us know they had it. We all know how important our cellphones are…
Let your fan flag fly: Experiencing a new style of fandom at San Diego Comic-Con
Fandom San Diego Comic-Con is an annual multi-genre entertainment convention. More information can be found at comic-con.org Every November for the past three years, at a time when any other high school student would be valuing their weekend sleeping time, I wake up as determined and energetic as a non-morning person can be. I watch…
The human in humanity
Today, July 27, I was reduced to tears by the actions of a kind, generous person in front of the Dallidet Adobe. First, there was the horrendous experience of seeing a person lying either dead or unconscious in the street with cars all around. Then, there was the compassion and concern of a young woman…
‘Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot’ delivers an engaging biopic of polarizing black humorist John Callahan
DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T GET FAR ON FOOT What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhere’s it showing? The Palm Auteur Gus Van Sant (My Own Private Idaho, To Die For, Good Will Hunting, Elephant, Paranoid Park, Milk) helms this biopic based on subversive cartoonist John Callahan’s quasi-autobiography (Will…
Sad
Perhaps I amuse too easily, but I did find August Salemi’s letter (“A people’s president,” July 26) quite entertaining—which one can only imagine he meant it to be. But one does have to sympathize with those who can no longer enjoy Trump Steaks washed down with Trump Vodka, fly in Trump Airlines, attend Trump University,…
The continuation of a bad move
Congratulations to District 2 voters for re-electing Supervisor Bruce Gibson and returning him, and his former mistress, now wife, to the county’s payroll. Public record shows his wife earns $76,000 a year along with county benefits, and he earns $86,000 a year plus benefits for a total of $162,000 plus benefits. That makes the total…
Bingeable: Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee (Season 10)
When? 2018 What’s it rated? TV-14 Where’s it available? Streaming on Netflix Jerry Seinfeld’s comedic lens of the world is refreshingly, and even enviably, simple. And such is the appeal of the sitcom legend’s successful Netflix series, Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. For those unfamiliar, this show has the most rudimentary premise possible: Seinfeld picks…
A backyard for deplorables
Cynthia Barr wrote a piece about how the “good, smart, rich people” of Five Cities should get together and build some sort of safe house for the homeless people of their area (“Worth fighting for,” July 12). I was surprised this piece was published, as it was emotionally driven; made wild, baseless claims; and had…
More stupidity on the way
Did I get this right? Our president placed tariffs on our goods. Other countries retaliated by meeting or exceeding those tariffs. Our farmers complained because it hit them in the pocketbook. So, because of Donald Trump’s tariffs, our president is gifting farmers with $12 billion of our (yours and mine) tax money to alleviate the…
Film Listings, 8/2/18 – 8/9/18
ANT-MAN AND THE WASP What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it rated? Matinee Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre Pick Peyton Reed (Bring It On, Yes Man, Ant-Man) directs this next entry into the Marvel universe set after the events of Captain America: Civil War. Paul Rudd returns as Scott Lang and his superhero alter ego Ant-Man.…
Fake news
Last month I attended the Cal Poly graduation for my granddaughter. The content coming from the speakers at graduation left us with the same feeling that Fox News reported. There were 11 in our party and everybody had the same feeling: Cal Poly wants more browns and blacks than whites. Another granddaughter has been accepted…
Farmstead Kitchen and Catering offers worldly comfort in Paso
Meet the Farmstead family Farmstead Kitchen and Catering is located at 1344 Park St. in Paso Robles and is available for catering in addition to lunch and dinner service. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to…
Paulding jumps into Arroyo Grande council race
The 32-year-old attorney who narrowly lost a race for SLO County supervisor in June is now seeking a spot on the Arroyo Grande City Council. Jimmy Paulding filed paperwork on July 26 to run for one of two seats on the council that are up for grabs in the Nov. 6 general election. Paulding joins…
Development may give locals a chance
I fully support the San Luis Ranch project. Having been born in San Luis and just graduating Cal Poly, I am fully aware of housing costs and issues for young people. I have worked on campus, off campus, and in downtown SLO at a bar just to get by. I pushed through four years of…
La dolce vino
United we eat: Oso Libre in Paso Robles hosts its Estate Angus BBQ this Aug. 4 with beef raised on-site and plenty of wine to go around (osolibre.com) … Likewise, Lone Madrone in Paso Robles hosts a Burger Sunday each week featuring beef, lamb, or mushroom patties paired with boutique dry-farmed wines (P.S. Bring the…
SLO development on Foothill moves forward despite opposition
A four-story apartment complex on Foothill Boulevard in SLO is one vote away from becoming a reality. Despite concerns expressed by residents and officials about traffic, parking, and design impacts, the city Planning Commission voted 5-1 on July 25 to approve the 6,800 square-foot mixed-use project, which will provide 78 housing units—including 12 affordable studios—and…
A nauseating stench
People using Prado Road and the Bob Jones Trail, as well as the businesses and homes across the street from the wastewater plant, frequently encounter a smell similar to dozens of people crapping next to them! An open window in a passing vehicle allows the stench to attack the passengers. I have nearly vomited it…
Crafty crumbs
Test your skills: Grab the gang and head to Sally Loo’s in SLO for trivia and burgers on the second Thursday of every month! Plus, did I mention they serve hand-scooped milkshakes, too? (sallylooswholesomecafe.com) … The Whale Rock Music Fest, featuring a mix of music, wine, beer, kombucha, yoga, and artistic expression, kicks off this…
Woman reportedly caught drinking after deadly DUI crash
A 25-year-old convicted of killing a Santa Margarita woman in a drunk driving accident two years ago allegedly was seen intoxicated and was refused service at a bar in downtown SLO in the months following the fatal 2016 crash, according to court records. The allegations came to light in documents submitted by SLO County prosecutors…
False narratives
When we ignore facts, we do injustice to the truth and create false narratives. Attributing every natural disaster to climate change relieves society of responsibility for making tough decisions. From the early 1970s to 2007 I fought fires, serving in Butte County with the California Department of Forestry, SLO City Fire (dispatcher), and as a…
One with nature
FARMstead Ed will host its popular Garden to Glass class this Aug. 5, partnering with Windrose Farm and YES Cocktail Co. in Paso Robles to demonstrate how to mix up locally grown produce (go to farmsteaded.com or call (805) 226-2081 for more information) … Attend a fundraiser for the documentary Where There Once Was Water…
Pismo Preserve project completion is waiting on funds
Although the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County has secured all permits for the Pismo Preserve parking lots and visitor amenities, construction won’t finish until all the project’s funding is finalized. Approximately $3.5 million is still needed to complete the $17 million project, which includes the purchase of the land. “If we had the…
Political circus
That mischievous ol’ Keith “T-bone” Gurnee is up to his shenanigans again, making waves on the blue side of things and leaving a wake so wide CalCoastNews can’t help but jump in with both water skis—even if it does look a little awkward and desperate. Only this time, T-bone’s target isn’t 3rd District Supervisor Adam…
Fancy yourself a wine badass?
Sure, you might like wine, but do you really love it? Are your friends sick of hearing about subtle differences in minerality and flintiness? Annoyed with how quickly your friends or family members gulp down that precious, nuanced bottle you’ve been saving for that perfect moment? Well, this class may be for you. The Wine…
Paso sends sales tax hike to ballot
Faced with funding shortfalls for city services like road repairs and public safety infrastructure, the Paso Robles City Council voted on July 18 to place a half percent sales tax increase on the November ballot. If approved by a simple majority of voters, Paso would become the first city in SLO County to hike its…
Social media sound off
New Times readers took to our website to share their thoughts about our July 26 cover story, “All that’s left: SLO County families cope with loss in the wake of the opioid epidemic.”
Airbnb agrees to collect taxes for SLO’s short-term rentals
Short-term rental giant Airbnb will assist SLO in making sure residents using the company’s app to rent out rooms and homes to visitors are paying their fair share. Airbnb announced that it had entered into an agreement with the city of SLO and began voluntarily collecting and remitting transient occupancy taxes (TOT) from its hosts…
Ace Frehley of KISS plays the Fremont Theater on Aug. 8
Music fans either love KISS or they’re wrong, and there would be no KISS without Paul Daniel “Ace” Frehley, who’s known to play custom special effects guitars, such as a Gibson Les Paul that emits smoke. KISS and Frehley understood from the start that rock ‘n’ roll is a spectacle, and they wrote the book,…
A few good cops: Grover Beach seeks more officers to fill its ranks
It was a busy year for Grover Beach police officers. In 2017, the department fielded 21,159 calls for service and more than 4,800 911 calls. The bulk of those calls were handled by 14 of the department’s 18 sworn officers, who are assigned patrol duties. But while the population of the city grew by more…
Fluid: Los Osos artist David Kreitzer’s exhibit explores water
Floating on by David Kreitzers exhibit, WaterWorks, features the artists collection of fluid and sparkling oil and watercolor paintings. The show is on display at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles through Aug. 31. Visit studiosonthepark.org for more information. To see more of Kreitzers art, visit kreitzerart.com. Los Osos artist David Kreitzer always likes…
Tensions boil over at July 26 SLO mayoral forum for Progressives Club’s endorsement
“I am done pretending that this is a real discussion,” declared a fuming Heidi Harmon, shortly before the San Luis Obispo mayor dropped her microphone on a table and stormed out of the SLO Guild Hall on July 26 to both cheers and jeers. Harmon left behind her November election challenger, T. Keith Gurnee, and…
Elemental: Central Coast Craftmakers take inspiration from natural disasters
On view Earth Fire Water art exhibit will be on display at the SLO Museum of Art from Aug. 3 to Sept. 30. An opening reception with the artists will be held Aug. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. during Art After Dark. Visit sloma.org for more information. Every year, artist Kate Froman makes sure…
