Gaea Powell will run for county clerk-recorder despite election fraud case
Former Arroyo Grande mayoral candidate Gaea Powell will juggle the court responsibilities of representing herself in an election fraud case with a 2026 campaign to run for San Luis Obispo County clerk-recorder. “I ran for mayor of Arroyo Grande because I refused to sit quietly while government overreach, corruption, and anti-American policies crept deeper into…
Central Coast artist teaches collage classes to help others on their cancer journeys
At around 12 years old, Kathleen McKinnon realized she wanted to be a teacher for the deaf after her church brought in a deaf congregation. A studio open to allEvery other Friday at 1 p.m., Kathleen McKinnon’s art classes for cancer survivors and supporters are held at Harmony Schoolhouse, her studio located at 11549 Los…
Morro Bay approves new five-year plan to tackle ‘menace’ seagulls at Bayshore Village
The long-running tug-of-war between Bayshore Village residents and the Western gulls that flock to their rooftops returned to the Morro Bay City Council on Dec. 9. “The existence of gulls at Bayshore Village has become so numerous or destructive as to constitute a menace and danger to the public health, safety, or property,” staff wrote…
SLOMA to host reading of SLO poet Tenny Arlen’s posthumously published poems
SLO local Tenny Arlen was a young woman with a bright future. The 2009 SLO High graduate studied at Cuesta College from 2009-11, where she won first place in both the fiction and poetry categories of the 2011 Tellus Literary Journal Contest. She graduated from UCLA in 2013 with a B.A. in Comparative Literature (French…
Law enforcement testifies in preliminary hearing for Todd Pinion’s accused murderer
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office brought in a slew of law enforcement members to testify in the preliminary hearing of 21-year-old Tyler Grant Stevens, the Paso Robles resident accused of murdering 34-year-old Todd Pinion because he was gay. On Dec. 10, seven witnesses—a mix of DA’s Office investigators and Atascadero Police Department…
Gallery at Marina Square features three artists in December
It’s a new month, so you can count on Gallery at Marina Square to pack the gallery with a new trio of featured artists. This month, oil painter Jeff Odell is in the upper gallery, oil painter Carol Astaire is in the lower gallery, and block printer Sandra Lisi is in the Craft Atelier Space.…
Cambria CSD considers $70,000 budget increase for Veterans Hall renovations
One of Cambria’s busiest community gathering places may receive a long-awaited facelift. On Dec. 11, the Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) planned to review a proposed budget adjustment that would accelerate a package of upgrades to the Cambria Veterans Memorial Hall, the Main Street venue that hosts everything from art shows and wine tastings to…
Jay Kelly is a heartfelt examination of fame and regret
Co-writer and director Noah Baumbach (The Squid and the Whale, Marriage Story) helms this dramedy written with Emily Mortimer about a famous film star named Jay Kelly (George Clooney) who in the twilight of his career reflects on his life. Always at his side is his devoted but harried manager, Ron (Adam Sandler), who’s constantly…
Sorry, Baby is a dark comedy exploring the continuing trauma of sexual assault
This contemplative film offers up a slice-of-life story, one that focuses on Agnes, who’s played by the filmmaker Eva Victor. Agnes is a professor at the same rural arts college where she and her small group of friends attended. Lydie (Naomi Ackie) has come to visit and reveals some big news of her own. Within…
The Last Frontier is a slow-burn thriller with moments of gripping action
Created by Jon Bokenkamp and Richard D’Ovidio (The Blacklist), this action thriller series has an interesting premise. Can small-town Deputy U.S. Marshal Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke), with limited resources and a harsh locale, locate fugitives from a downed prisoner transport plane? Among the escapees is Havlock (Dominic Cooper), recently captured in a CIA black op.…
Vocalist Dawn Lambeth joins The Robert Alberts Quintet at Madonna Inn on Dec. 18
The holidays are upon us—the time of the year when you think about what you can give someone, but maybe you should think about treating yourself, too. Next Thursday, Dec. 18, Paso Robles-based vocalist and pianist Dawn Lambeth will be joining The Robert Alberts Quintet for an evening of jazz standards, swing, cha-chas, and bossa…
Chef Lindsey Carroll elevates the wine-tasting experience at Center of Effort in Arroyo Grande
The Central Coast is home to several nationally renowned winery restaurants, including Roblar in Santa Ynez, Presqu’ile in Santa Maria, and Niner and The Restaurant at Justin in Paso Robles. In the heart of Edna Valley—nestled between San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande—Center of Effort is eyeing inclusion in this esteemed list. Reservations requiredTo reserve…
Dear San Luis Coastal, music isn’t optional
The San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) is navigating an incredibly difficult process right now, dealing with multimillion-dollar budget cuts. This situation is undoubtedly challenging, and tough choices need to be made. However, I am writing to strongly urge you to reconsider the proposed elimination of the entire music program budget line item of…
Diablo’s once through cooling has got to go
Thank you for publishing the opinion piece “California needs its agencies to do their jobs” (Nov. 27). Ms. Stegman points out that one of the responsibilities of the California Coastal Commission is to provide for strong marine habitat mitigation of the damage caused by Diablo Canyon’s once-through cooling system. Because Diablo Canyon sucks in up…
Diablo cannot be decommissioned
I would like to rebut the letter by Julie Mansfield-Wells stating “Diablo must be decommissioned” (Dec. 4). It was slated to be decommissioned years ago and was ramping down when wiser heads prevailed, realizing there was no substitute for the loss of the power it generated. The operational cost becomes insignificant considering this. As far…
It’s all bad
I’m not sure what’s worse: someone who’s currently being tried for election fraud announcing a run for office or hiring the person you’re hoping will win the election to replace you. Actually, I’m sure that one is actually worse. But both stink. We’ll go with first the worst. Twice failed mayoral candidate currently charged with…
As San Luis Coastal prepares for another round of budget cuts, music students and their parents wonder if athletics will be favored
San Luis Obispo High School senior Mary Kate Fidopiastis was in the middle of recording pre-screen auditions for college music programs when the group chat on her phone glowed with an ominous text. “My friends who are on leadership with me, attended the SLOIMBA [SLO Instrumental Music Boosters Association] meeting, and they were messaging about…
Port San Luis Harbor District pauses a $3 million grant for offshore wind study
On the morning of Dec. 2, people quickly filled the folding chairs at the Avila Beach Community Center. Neighbors stood shoulder-to-shoulder along the walls. Some brought notebooks, others arrived with pamphlets, printouts, or posters. Fourteen days earlier, the Port San Luis Harbor District Commission postponed discussion of a $3 million state grant after more than…
SLO Power is the door-to-door car detailing business run by high school freshmen planning for college
It’s never too early to start saving up for college. For three San Luis Obispo High School freshman, the daunting task is a little more fun when best friends and cars get them closer to their goal. “We started with window cleaning to get our money, but we realized a lot of people wanted their…
