Cover Story
Halcyon’s Theosophical Society is on the eve of celebrating its temple’s centennial
Culture cache The Legend of the Peace Maker open house art exhibit can be viewed on Sept. 9 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Temple of the People, Temple Street and Halcyon Road, Arroyo Grande. To learn more, visit templeofthepeople.org. Cool tranquility washes over anyone who enters the Temple of the People. Cradled between…
Community Foundation of SLO County sponsors free concert in Santa Maria
The Riptide Big Band will perform at the upcoming Wear That Hat dance concert at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria on Sunday, Sept. 10, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. The band will be accompanied by vocalists Bob Nations and Mitch Latting during the event, hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens…
I Am So Not Inviting You to My Bat Mitzvah is a sweet, funny coming-of-age story
I AM SO NOT INVITING YOU TO MY BAT MITZVAH What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Sammi Cohen directs this coming-of-age comedy about besties Stacy Friedman (Sunny Sandler) and Lydia Rodriguez Katz (Samantha Lorraine), who have a falling out over a…
Depp v. Heard
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix From April to June 2022, the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was in its heyday. With a bit of shame, I admit I followed along, watching hour upon hour of trial footage as the two and their respective witnesses worked to tear…
Heart of Stone
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix Tom Harper (Wild Rose, The Aeronauts) directs this by-the-numbers spy thriller that’s sadly short on thrills. As I understand it, the idea was that it would begin a Mission: Impossible-style franchise with Gal Gadot in the lead, but after this rote, lackluster effort, this may…
Judge says Cardinal Barbershop owner should face trial for sexual assault
Editor’s Note: This story contains intimate details about sexual assault, which could be triggering to survivors of sexual abuse. Sporting a dark suit, glasses, and trimmed slicked-back hair on Aug. 29 in San Luis Obispo Superior Court, Nate Abate looked very different from his January arrest picture where he’s frozen in time with long hair…
Relocated from Brooklyn to Morro Bay, Babydudes whips up creative classics in the name of love
Counter chats Walk up to the Babydudes counter at 307 Morro Bay Boulevard in Morro Bay to place your order. It’s open Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday. Follow Babydudes on Instagram @babydudes. Hiding a workplace romance and wanting to dish out creative…
Coalition hosts info sessions on LGBTQ-plus student rights
As students and teachers begin to settle into their routines in the new school year, a new type of educational opportunity is on deck for San Luis Obispo County—and it’s one that Doug Heumann feels is more important than ever. “Parents need to know what their kids’ rights are; students need to know what their…
Morro Bay reduces permit fees for property owners impacted by floods
The winter storms that ravaged Morro Bay put residents like Heather Baker on their heels as the sudden storms led to massive flooding and building damage. “On Jan. 9, [my family] went about its normal day, [then] our world was unexpectedly turned upside down,” Baker said in a May letter to the Morro Bay City…
Open letter to the secretary of state
Madame Secretary, The following appears on the California secretary of state’s website: Summary of qualifications and requirements for the office of United States president Republican Party, March 5, 2024, presidential primary election: I. Qualifications: Every candidate shall be a natural-born citizen of the United States, at least 35 years of age, and a resident of…
Democracy and freedom are America’s hallmarks
We all sing “God Bless America” regardless of how we vote; we share that song as Americans who love and care enough for our country; we will sing a song for God to bless everyone. It’s sad for all Americans to have a man diminish an office we look to to guide our country for…
Shutting down Diablo will guarantee our safety
On Saturday, Aug. 26, the sirens surrounding the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant wailed. It was only a test, so you could go about your business. But do you have a plan for yourself and your family if the next time you hear sirens it is a warning that a radioactive cloud is drifting downwind from…
Oppenheimer legacy
The movie Oppenheimer, the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the development of the atomic bomb during WWII, reportedly left a number of viewers in despair and dreading an impending nuclear doomsday. But, why should it? Observing comfortably from today’s vantage, things are actually rather encouraging. The movie was, of course, a historical drama, and…
Through the Eyes of a Monarch features art highlighting the beauty of one of the Central Coast’s well-traveled butterflies
Bug beginnings See the opening of Through the Eyes of a Monarch at The Bunker (located at 810 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo) on Friday, Sept. 1, from 6 to 8 p.m. Visit westernmonarchtrail.com for more information and resources on the butterfly. Everyone views a journey differently. Whether in how they take it—by land, air,…
Something to the outcry
What happens when SLO County law enforcement is about to arrest you for sexual assault allegations made by dozens of women that date back over several years? In the case of Kin Coffee owner Julian Contreras and Cardinal Barbershop owner Nate Abate, you escape to Mexico or get arrested and face public trial. The rumors…
New Times Media Group holds inaugural Pet Photo Contest
The entry period for the New Times Media Group’s inaugural Pet Photo Contest opened in late August and will close on Monday, Sept. 18, at 5 p.m. Photos from the contest will be included in the pet-centric issues of both New Times and the Sun on Thursday, Oct. 19. The Pet Photo Contest is sponsored…
New state hotline enables Central Coast residents to report hate incidents anonymously
For your information To report a nonemergency hate crime or incident to the CA vs. Hate hotline, call (833) 866-4283 Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For reports outside of those times and for more information on the programs offered by the California Department of Civil Rights, visit cavshate.org. The California Department…
Morro Bay Art Association hosts free ceramics demo
Prolific ceramicist and teacher Jack Mettier will lead a ceramics demonstration at Art Center Morro Bay on Monday, Sept. 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. Admission to the demo, hosted by the Morro Bay Art Association, is free and open to the public. Mettier has 35 years of experience in teaching ceramics, art, and jewelry…
Mama’s Broke brings their elegiac sounds to Bristol’s Cider House on Sept. 2
How to describe the Canadian duo Mama’s Broke? Alt-Appalachian? Dark folk-punk? Quebecois blues? If you want to get a taste, I recommend their 2023 NPR Tiny Desk Concert. It’s 16 minutes of remarkable harmony singing and sparkling string work on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo, with chopstick and foot percussion. Mournful, elegiac, and heartachingly beautiful,…
