Cover Story
Cocaine hustle
SLO County Sheriff’s Deputy James Silverstein hit the lights and sirens. The car in front of him pulled to a stop near the desolate intersection of Highway 41 and Cripple Creek Road just outside of Creston on July 8, 2015. The vehicle’s registration was expired. At first, Silverstein didn’t notice anything suspicious, but then he…
Underrated: Jesus’ Son
When? 1999 What’s it rated? R Where’s it available? DVD, Streaming on Amazon and iTunes Late American author Denis Johnson’s collection of short stories, Jesus’ Son, are adapted into a feature length film by Canadian-born New Zealander director Alison Maclean for the 1999 comedy by the same title. The film stars and is narrated by…
Local veterans react to Trump’s transgender military ban
When Los Osos resident Malinda Rae saw President Donald Trump’s July 26 tweet announcing plans to ban transgender people from serving in the U.S. military, her reaction was a mix of sadness and confusion. “I don’t understand what the big deal is,” she told New Times. “I don’t understand what people are afraid of.” Rae,…
Just like Van Gogh
Create your own artistic masterpiece Aug. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Station in SLO. Learn to paint Van Gogh’s Almond Blossom Tree with artist Jason Towne, an abstract expressionist and illustrator who has been developing his bold painting style for the past 15 years. Towne is from the S.F. Bay Area who now lives…
Baby Driver
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre Pick Writer-director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) helms this action crime film about a young, gifted driver (Ansel Elgort) who’s coerced into driving for Doc (Kevin Spacey), a criminal mastermind, eventually leading to…
Holland’s legacy: Inmate death leads to $5 million settlement as family calls for sheriff’s resignation
Sharon Holland spoke quietly into a nest of microphones in the hope that her son might be remembered for more than the way he died. “Andrew was more than an inmate. He was more than a man that had a brain disease. He was bright and funny. He was a loving son,” she said. “He…
From ‘M’ to sea
Man, summers in San Luis Obispo are hard to beat. That was my thought as I pulled up to the dog beach in crystal-clear, 70-degree weather in Cayucos at 4 p.m. on July 29, belly full of spicy chicken tacos from the Cayucos Gas Mini Mart (some of the best tacos on the North Coast,…
The Dark Tower
What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy New Roland Deschain (Idris Elba) has been locked in an eternal battle with Walter O’Dim, also known as the Man in Black (Matthew McConaughey), determined to prevent him from toppling the Dark Tower, which holds the universe together. With the fate of…
Tensions spike after DA calls SLO’s rental inspection repeal ‘unlawful’
New Times screwed up last week. In our July 27 news brief, “SLO ‘unlawfully altered’ special election ballot, county DA says,” we misstated the SLO County District Attorney’s Office’s critique of how the city of San Luis Obispo handled Measure B-17—the citizen initiative to repeal and replace the SLO Rental Housing Inspection Program (RHIP). New…
San Luis Pop Festival celebrates the Summer of Love and progressive politics
Fifty years ago in San Francisco, around 100,000 flower children converged in a gathering now known as the Summer of Love. These young people were against the Vietnam War; distrusted conservative government; and rallied for freedom, tolerance, and inclusivity. Somehow, 50 years later, we now seem to be back to square one. We’re sick of…
Dawson City: Frozen Time
What’s it rated? NR Where’s it showing? The Palm New Dawson City: Frozen Time pieces together the bizarre true history of a long-lost collection of 533 nitrate film prints dating from the early 1900s. Discovered buried under a hockey rink in a former Klondike Gold Rush town, their story reveals the links between the movie…
Embattled admin leaves South County sanitation district
After clashing with members of the public and some of his employees, South SLO County Sanitation District administrator Gerhardt Hubner announced he is leaving his post. According to a written statement released by the sanitation district, Hubner will leave his position effective Aug. 3. Until then, Hubner said he would work with an interim administrator…
Are you supportive of all the housing development in SLO?
Jane Worthy retired “It seems a little too much. When people hear housing crisis, developers come right in. We might be over-building although I am in favor of limited, well-thought-out growth.” Ted Pagel retired musician “I think it’s inevitable; growth was bound to happen. I’m okay with it as long as it’s well-developed.” Jean Weeks…
Descpicable Me 3
What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy The mischievous Minions hope that Gru (Steve Carell) will return to a life of crime after the new boss of the Anti-Villain League fires him. Instead, Gru decides to remain retired and travel to Freedonia to meet his long-lost twin brother (also voiced by…
Los Osos CSD closes in on land for dog park
Los Osos canine owners may finally get a park where they can let their dogs run wild. On Aug. 1, the Los Osos Community Services District’s (LOCSD) Parks and Recreation Committee reviewed a lease with SLO County that would establish a new dog park in the Los Osos Community Park at 2180 Palisades Ave. The…
Going for broke
You may be wondering why, in the midst of the worst housing crisis in state history, our local Home Builders Association (HBA) has decided to lobby its three beneficiaries on the Board of Supervisors to scrap the county’s inclusionary housing ordinance (IHO), as reported last week in the New Times (“Homebuilders Association to oppose county’s…
Girls Trip
What’s it rated? R Where’s it showing? Stadium 10, Park When four lifelong friends (Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish) travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there’s enough dancing, drinking, brawling, and romancing to make the Big Easy blush. (102…
County to expand availability of anti-overdose drug
As the United States continues to struggle with an epidemic of opiate-related addiction and death, SLO County will seek to expand the availability of a drug that helps prevent overdoses. At its upcoming Aug. 8 regular meeting, the county Board of Supervisors will consider accepting a $26,985 grant that will allow the county to provide…
Big bad lawyering
Once again lawsuit-loving lawyer Stew Jenkins, along with his sidekick, Kevin P. Rice, are using fear, innuendo, and outright lies to distract voters from the real truth about Measure B-17: It is a disaster for San Luis Obispo because it is totally unclear what the legal ramifications would be. Mr. Jenkins’ statements in the July…
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power
What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? The Palm New A decade after An Inconvenient Truth brought climate change into the heart of popular culture comes the riveting and rousing follow-up that shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution. Former Vice President Al Gore continues his tireless fight, traveling around the…
Felines and flexibility
It’s clear that yoga is a thriving practice in San Luis Obispo. With more than 10 studios in the city, there are plenty of options to choose from, but how many of them come with cats in the room? At Woods Humane Society, yogis and cat lovers can join together to stretch, relax, and enjoy…
Treat animal abuse like human abuse
Regarding the story on Misty Marie Lambert (“Woman accused of neglecting horses previously charged for endangering dog,” July 27), her story is a perfect example of why we need an animal abuse registry. It should be set up like a sex offender registry so they could be subject to checks ensuring they are not keeping…
Kidnap
What’s it rated? R Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy New A typical afternoon in the park turns into a nightmare for single mom Karla Dyson (Halle Berry) when her son suddenly disappears. Without a cell phone and knowing she has no time to wait for police help, Karla jumps in her…
Government developed housing
I want to thank the Shredder for bringing focus to the quality of life problem facing our county because of the high cost of housing (“Double trouble housing bubble,” July 27). Rather than doing political gymnastics to try to get private contractors to jump into the unprofitable business of building housing in our county, why…
Spider-Man: Homecoming
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Galaxy Pick This new Spider-Man film picks up a few months after the events of Captain America: Civil War, which chronicled the rift between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.). This time around, Tony Stark…
Polar bears aren’t canaries
In 2003, the late author and science writer Michael Crichton wrote: “The greatest challenge facing mankind is the challenge of distinguishing reality from fantasy, truth from propaganda … We must daily decide whether the threats we face are real, whether the solutions we are offered will do any good, whether the problems we’re told exist…
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Rental Where’s it showing? Galaxy Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element, Lucy) directs this comic book-based sci-fi adventure about special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) who must safeguard Alpha, a sprawling space-city that’s home to species from a thousand planets. That sounds like…
Rockin’ wine
Burlesque and wine? Nope, you’re not dreaming. Rendarrio Vineyards has been blending the two sumptuous stimulating mediums for some time now, so get on the band wagon and see what the fuss is about. Check out a new burlesque show coming up at the Paso Robles tasting room this Aug. 26 featuring a host of…
Whoopsy-daisy part deux
I hate it when I’m wrong. I mean, obviously it rarely happens, because I’m a finely tuned machine, but when it does, I admit it. Guess what? I was wrong. Inconceivable! Last week in “whoopsy-daisy” news, I wrote about the SLO County District Attorney’s response to local conservative gadfly Kevin P. Rice’s formal query about…
Cool off now
Sizzlin’! Creston in the summer is lovely, but be sure to bring a hat and maybe some sunscreen, too! Brave the summer heat for a First Friday event at Still Waters Winery on the scenic Creston Wine Trail this Aug. 4 (For more events go to pasowine.come) … Nothing is more refreshing than a crisp,…
Three Part-Harmony art show visualizes music through paintings, sculptures
All together now The Three-Part Harmony show will be on display at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles through Aug. 27. Catch an artists’ talk with Colleen Gnos, Larry Le Brane, and Michael Reddell Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. The studio will also hold The Art of Music, which includes a presentation by Le…
Good eatin’
If pigs could fly (into my mouth): wine and pork sounds a lot like heaven to me! If this is also your idea of a deliciously decadent good time, check the Pinot and Pork event kicking off at Tolosa Winery in Edna Valley this Aug. 13. You can expect yummy pinot noir, rotisserie wood-fire smoked…
Bird is the word
Fly away Birds Discover The Local Library, a collection of paintings by artist Anne Seltzer, will be on display at the Cambria Library through Aug. 31 during its regular hours (Tuesday through Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5…
Fair food hangover?
Summer is a confusing time. We’re all supposed to be wearing teeny bikinis and thigh-skimming swim trunks, flaunting our beach bods while simultaneously scarfing down the most intense food imaginable. Yes, I’m talking about “fair food,” that combination of deep fried batter, fat, salt, powdered sugar, and (if you’re into that kind of thing) a…
Details in the fabric
Life is a rich tapestry of stories, see a few on display at the Tapestry Tales—Stories in Fiber show at the San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held Aug. 4 from 4 to 8 p.m. in conjunction with Art After Dark. Show hours will also be on…
Yes Cocktail Co. is shaking up your summer drinks with fresh produce
Yes to that! You can find Yes Cocktail Co. at a swath of local haunts, including the General Store in Paso Robles, Lincoln Market in SLO, Paul’s Liquor in Cayucos, Third Base Liquor in Grover Beach, and Sextant Winery in Edna Valley. For a list of locations where you can find it or to order…
Downtown Movie Night
Head to Mission Plaza in SLO while those warm summer nights are still here and catch a flick with friends and family. Moana will show as part of Movies at the Mission on Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. Attendees can bring a picnic or buy treats at the concession stand. This animated Disney film follows…
A Ghost Story
A Ghost Story What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? MatineeWhat’s it worth, Glen? MatineeWhere’s it showing? The Palm (Last showing Aug. 3) Writer-director David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, Pete’s Dragon) delivers this story about a white sheet-clad ghost (Casey Affleck) who returns to his home in an attempt to reconnect with his grieving…
