Cover Story
Best of SLO County 2020
Pandemic or no pandemic, we weren’t about to let this summer go by without putting out our annual Best of SLO County issue. We initially postponed it due to the state shutdown, and now the state is starting to shut down all over again. But that doesn’t mean our readers don’t love the businesses in…
SLO County and city partner with 40 Prado on safe parking program for homeless
Almost a month after San Luis Obispo County ended a program aimed at giving homeless individuals a safe place to park their cars, sleep, and shower during the coronavirus pandemic, a similar program is up and running. But the new safe parking program—an extension of an already existing project at 40 Prado Homeless Services Center—is…
Santa Barbara County COVID-19 hospitalizations hit a new high
At the beginning of June, less than 30 residents were hospitalized in Santa Barbara County due to COVID-19 complications. On July 21, that number had increased to 82 after weeks of surging case counts. While it’s the highest since the pandemic began, the number of people hospitalized in the county has fluctuated between the low…
Carbajal announces legislation to halt the establishment of a denaturalization office
U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) introduced a new bill on July 20 that aims to block the formation of a denaturalization office within the U.S. Department of Justice. Carbajal introduced the bill alongside U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-New York) and Norma Torres (D-Ontario), the co-chairs of the New Americans Caucus. Called the Defend New…
Inmates in SLO County Jail test positive for COVID-19
Since July 9, four SLO County Sheriff’s Office personnel and three SLO County Jail inmates have tested positive for coronavirus. The SLO County Jail was COVID-19 free for four months because of its comprehensive COVID-19 prevention plan, SLO County Sheriff Office spokesperson Tony Cipolla said. Prevention tactics include screening all arrestees for fever and COVID-19…
As Santa Maria area schools discuss future, Newsom announces COVID-19 requirements for schools
On July 15, superintendents Antonio Garcia of Santa Maria Joint Union High School District, Emilio Handall of Guadalupe Union School District, Holly Edds of Orcutt Union School District, and Luke Ontiveros of Santa Maria-Bonita School District each gave updates on their respective districts’ plans in the face the ongoing and worsening pandemic. “Our four districts…
New wave of businesses forced to close indoor operations starting July 16
Gyms, places of worship, personal care services, hair salons, malls, and non-essential office spaces must close all indoor operations in San Luis Obispo County starting July 16 under a state order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The order is a result of SLO County staying on the state’s COVID-19 watch list for three consecutive…
SLO County shifts COVID-19 testing due to delayed results and increased demand
Demand for COVID-19 testing has many SLO County residents experiencing longer wait times for test results, leaving the county’s Public Health Department waiting for information as well. All commercial labs within the county are experiencing delays in reporting testing results, SLO County spokesperson Michelle Shoresman said. Wait time differs depending on where residents get tested,…
Thanks to surging COVID-19 cases in California, SLO County’s slow opening has come to a stop
Here we go again. Just when it seemed like things were getting better, they’re now worse. SLO County has more than 1,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, and by the time you read this, the number will be higher. We’re lucky to have only six deaths out of California’s 7,087. Last I checked, California had 336,508 confirmed…
Best of SLO County 2020: Getting Goods
Best Thrift Store Fred and Betty’s Thrift Store 532 Higuera St., SLO (805) 593-0255 fredandbettys@sloclassical.org fredandbettys.org @fredandbettys facebook.com/Fred-and-Bettys-450446985068476 Best Antique Shop Ruby Rose (805) 545-7964 RubyRose805.com @RubyRose805 Best Place to Pamper Your Pet Tails Pet Boutique 745 Higuera St., SLO (805) 544-7387 tailsinslo@gmail.com tailsinslo.com @tailsinslo facebook.com/Tails-Pet-Boutique-148854285816 Best Consignment Store Change of A Dress changeofadress2@yahoo.com slochangeofadress.com…
Best of SLO County 2020: Get Out
Best Weekend Getaway in SLO County Cambria Pines Lodge 2905 Burton Drive, Cambria (805) 927-4200 concierge@cambriapineslodge.com cambriapineslodge.com @cambriapineslodge facebook.com/cambriapineslodge Best Place to Get Swimwear SLO Swim 795 Higuera St., SLO (805) 781-9604 sloswim@att.net sloswim.com @sloswim facebook.com/sloswim Best Board Shop Central Coast Surfboards 855 Marsh St., SLO (805) 541-1129 info@ccsurf.com ccsurf.com @ccsurf facebook.com/ccsurf Best Water Sports…
SLO County worries about a homelessness surge as COVID-19 drags on
With Californians facing a new wave of economic disruptions due to COVID-19, San Luis Obispo County officials and social service providers are increasingly concerned about a substantial rise in local homelessness in the near and long terms. Janna Nichols, executive director of the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition, told New Times that calls for service at…
In her new memoir, Half a Brain, Los Osos author Jenni Basch chronicles raising a special needs daughter
Are parents of special needs children superheroes, saints, or both? Imagine the emotional roller coaster of learning your in-utero child would suffer from severe disabilities, then learning after the birth that her situation is even more dire than you could have imagined? Think about the soul-crushing work of navigating the byzantine layers of health care…
Judge upholds SLO County hemp ordinance for now
A San Luis Obispo County Superior Court judge denied the local hemp industry’s request to temporarily stop SLO County’s enforcement of new hemp regulations while they’re battled out in court. In a June 26 ruling, Judge Ginger Garrett wrote that the growers, which rallied to form the Coalition for Agricultural Rights to sue the county…
SLO Rep presents second session of ACT Summer Theatre Camps
Following a successful first session of SLO Repertory Theatre’s ACT Summer Theatre Camp, which took place July 6 through 10, the company will hold its second session starting July 20 through 24. Each camp is limited to eight participants, in order to accommodate social-distancing protocols. Students ages 8 through 11 take part in camp activities…
Sales tax ballot measure approved in Morro Bay, put down in Arroyo Grande
A proposed sales tax increase will be on Morro Bay’s ballot in November, but a similar measure didn’t get the green light in Arroyo Grande. At a meeting on July 14, Morro Bay City Council voted unanimously to put a 1 percent increase to the city’s transactions and use tax rate on the ballot, a…
Estrella Warbirds Museum cancels this year’s Warbirds, Wings, and Wheels event
The Estrella Warbirds Museum in Paso Robles has officially canceled its 2020 Warbirds, Wings, and Wheels event—which was scheduled to take place on Sept. 19—due to COVID-19 concerns. The annual celebration was originally slated to take place on May 8, but was postponed to September in “anticipation of a subsiding pandemic,” according to a press…
Morro Bay rejects affordable housing project appeal
On July 14, the Morro Bay City Council unanimously rejected the appeal of an affordable housing project that took issue with the project’s size and parking criteria. The Housing Authority of San Luis Obispo-sponsored proposal for 405 Atascadero Road is slated to have four buildings with 35 units, a lobby and laundry area, an outdoor…
Best of SLO County 2020: Getting Hitched
Best Wedding Venue The Cliffs Hotel and Spa 2757 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach (805) 773-5000 info@cliffshotelandspa.com cliffshotelandspa.com @thecliffshotelandspa facebook.com/thecliffshotelandspa Best Wedding Caterer Field to Table Catering & Events 146 N. Thompson Road, Nipomo (805) 474-5719 hello@fttevents.com fttevents.com @fieldtotableevents facebook.com/FTTevents Best Wedding Planner Embark Event Design 874 Lawrence Drive, SLO (805) 503-2625 sarah@embarkeventdesign.com embarkeventdesign.com @embarkeventdesign…
Best of SLO County 2020: Community Watch
Best Controversy or Scandal Kristin Smart Case/Your Own Backyard podcast yourownbackyardpocast@gmail.com yourownbackyardpodcast.com @yourownbackyardpodcast facebook.com/yourownbackyardpodcast Torch Bearer Best Controversy or Scandal: Kristin Smart Case/Your Own Backyard Podcast This is going to be a controversial opinion. I was never really that enthralled with the Kristin Smart case. It was more local lore than anything else, something to…
Nipomo High School ag teacher wins state education award
When COVID-19 forced schools to close in March, Rosemary Cummings and her Nipomo High School agriculture students missed out on the most exciting time of their year. Usually on weekends between March and May, Cummings and 50 or more students travel to compete on college campuses across the state as part of the Future Farmers…
Greyhound is an effective World War II naval thriller
GREYHOUND What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Apple TV Aaron Schneider (Get Low) directs this World War II naval adventure written by star Tom Hanks and based on C.S. Forester’s novel The Good Shepherd, about an inexperienced U.S. Navy captain, Cmdr. Ernest…
Keep the dunes closed to off-roaders
Upon learning that the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Area (ODSVRA) will be closed until Oct. 1, dozens of off-roaders attended the California Coastal Commission (CCC) meeting on July 9. They argued that they are being denied enjoyment of the beach that they pay for with Off-Highway Motor Vehicle Division money—their money, for their park and…
Unsolved Mysteries
What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2020 Where’s it showing? Netflix If you were anywhere near a television in the ’90s, you undoubtedly recognize the eerie music that marked the beginning of the spooky, magical show that was Unsolved Mysteries. Netflix has released volume 1 of the newly revamped show, and any fan of true crime…
Best of SLO County 2020: Eats
Best North County Restaurant Fish Gaucho 1244 Park St., Paso Robles (805) 239-3333 info@fishgaucho.com fishgaucho.com @fishgaucho facebook.com/FishGaucho Best North Coast Restaurant Robin’s Restaurant 4095 Burton Drive, Cambria (805) 927-5007 anthony@robinsrestaurant.com robinsrestaurant.com @robins_restaurant facebook.com/RobinsRestaurant Best San Luis Obispo Restaurant Novo Restaurant & Lounge 726 Higuera St., SLO (805) 543-3986 info@novorestaurant.com novorestaurant.com @novorestaurant facebook.com/NovoRestaurant Best South County…
The Old Guard
What’s it rated? R When? 2020 Where’s it showing? Netflix Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, Beyond the Lights) directs this screenplay by Greg Rucka based on the graphic novel series he co-created with Leandro Fernandez, about a covert group of immortal warriors who’ve been quietly protecting humanity for centuries. Led by Andy (Charlize Theron), the…
Hearing what you want to hear?
To all of the Americans who are still adamantly supporting, defending, and enabling the president—have you had enough yet? Has the swamp been drained enough yet? Four years ago the president appointed the wealthiest cabinet in U.S. history and plugged in family members. His tax plan two years ago disproportionately benefited the wealthy (not the…
Beekeeper Jeremy Rose of CBC gets raw on honey, the bee biz, and the fate of his winged essential workers
The golden ticket Find California Bee Company’s delicious, raw, unprocessed honey at local farmers’ markets. Talk to beekeeper Jeremy Rose about providing locally adapted queen bees, live bee colonies, and beehive rentals for crop pollination by calling (805) 540-4502. Online, visit californiabeecompany.com and @pursuingpureflavor on Instagram. Jeremy Rose’s fascination with bees began as a fourth…
Keep Diablo open
I attended many of the meetings associated with PG&E’s proposal to close Diablo Canyon. I was amazed at the lack of pushback by citizens and local business who depend on more than $1 billion that Diablo Canyon Power Plant brings to the region yearly. I expected loud wails of, “No, we’ll go broke! The plant…
Best of SLO County 2020: Arts
Best Festival (Specific City) Live Oak Music Festival (SLO) El Chorro Regional Park, Highway 1 at Dairy Creek Road (805) 781-3030 info@liveoakfest.org liveoakfest.org @liveoakfest facebook.com/liveoakmusicfestival Best Photographer Amber Lynn Photography (805) 710-6776 amberlynnphotography@gmail.com amber-lynn-photography.com @amber_lynn facebook.com/AmberLynnnPhotography Best Visual Artist Colleen Gnos 141 Suburban Road, No. C4, SLO (805) 441-8277 colleen@colleengnos.com gnosart.com @gnosart facebook.com/colleengnosart Best Art…
An apology is in order
Mayor Heidi Harmon owes an apology to the parishioners of Mission of SLO. Her ill informed remark quoted by New Times that she was delighted to see Father Junipero Serra’s statue removed from “our open space” displays her ignorance of Junipero’s history, and the fact that the “open space” is sacred ground owned by the…
Best of SLO County 2020: Lifestyle
Best Hair Salon Indie Salon 1231 E. Grand Ave., suite 103, Arroyo Grande (805) 202-8992 indiesalon@mail.com indie-salon.com @indie.salon facebook.com/Indiesaloninc Best Barber Shop The Ritual 787 Higuera St., SLO (805) 596-0360 theritual805.resurva.com/book @theritual805 facebook.com/pages/The-Ritual/698355176849072 Best Nail Salon @Nails 1519 Froom Ranch Way, SLO (805) 543-2268 business@atnails.com atnails.com @Nails facebook.com/nailsalons Best Health Club/Gym Kennedy Club Fitness Arroyo…
Best of SLO County 2020: Drinks
Best North County Bar 1122 Cocktail Lounge & Speakeasy 1122 Pine St., Paso Robles (805) 238-4141 donovan@pappymcgregors.com eleven-twentytwo.com @1122.cocktail.lounge facebook.com/1122-Cocktail-Lounge-Speakeasy-397704520750965 Best North Coast Bar The Siren 900 Main St., Morro Bay (805) 225-1312 info@thesirenmorrobay.com thesirenmorrobay.com @thesirenmorrobay facebook.com/thesirenmorrobay Best San Luis Obispo Bar Sidecar Cocktail Co. 1040 Broad St., SLO (805) 439-3563 info@sidecarslo.com sidecarslo.com @sidecar_slo facebook.com/sidecarslo…
Vote with your forward-thinking wallet
Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-San Luis Obispo) authored AB 2898 in a last-ditch effort to extend the life of dirty Diablo Canyon Power Plant. This bill foolishly seeks to reclassify nuclear energy as a renewable resource. Not only is nuclear power by definition not renewable because the world’s supply of uranium is limited—but it’s also dirty,…
Best of SLO County 2020: About Town
Best New Company 2019 Urbn Leaf 239 S. 3rd St., Grover Beach (805) 556-4198 info@urbnleaf.com urbnleaf.com @urbnleafca facebook.com/urbnleaf Best Radio Station KCBX 4100 Vachell Lane, SLO (805) 549-8855 interact@kcbx.org kcbx.org @kcbxfm facebook.com/kcbxfm Torch Bearer Best Radio Station: KCBX 90.1FM Forty-five years ago, on July 27, 1975, local National Public Radio affiliate, KCBX 90.1FM, first signed…
Best of SLO County 2020 Virtual Publication
Pandemic or no pandemic, we weren’t about to let this summer go by without putting out our annual Best of SLO County issue. We initially postponed it due to the state shutdown, and now the state is starting to shut down all over again. But that doesn’t mean our readers don’t love the businesses in…
Honors deferred
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,” evangelical pastor A.R. Bernard said, explaining the anger and frustration exhibited within the black community across America. Bernard points to unresolved problems: intractable hostility between the black community and police, and unfulfilled needs such as black urban poverty, high crime, and dismal education. I can’t argue with a single…
Arroyo Grande approves fines that could enforce COVID-19 orders
A recent discussion in Arroyo Grande about administrative citations and the city’s inability to enforce various state and county orders, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic, turned into another battle over face coverings and whether they’re helpful in stopping the spread of coronavirus. At a meeting on July 14, the Arroyo Grande City Council…
Coronamurderers!
SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow wants you to know you’re probably going to get raped or murdered because of the coronavirus, or more specifically because of our namby-pamby snowflake governor, Gavin Newsom, and the soft-on-crime autocrats running the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) who recently announced up to 8,000 state prison inmates…
