Cover Story
Nuclear option: Support increases for keeping Diablo Canyon open
When Central Coast state Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham was first elected to office in 2016, it was just a few months after PG&E made its fateful decision to close Diablo Canyon Power Plant in 2024 and 2025—putting a sunset date on nuclear power in California. In the intervening years, Cunningham has been a vocal and often…
The Power of the Dog offers a suspenseful story filled with compelling characters
THE POWER OF THE DOG What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer-director Jane Campion (The Piano) brings the 1967 Thomas Savage novel of the same name to the screen. It’s 1925 Montana, and ranchers and brothers Phil (Benedict Cumberbatch) and George…
Environmental, fishing industry impacts discussed at marine sanctuary meeting
Everyone from environmental activists to seasoned fishermen are weighing in on a proposed national marine sanctuary off the Central Coast. After announcing a month ago that it was initiating the designation process for the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is now fielding public opinion on it. “The designation…
tick, tick … BOOM!
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Netflix Rentheads rejoice! Jonathan Larson’s catalog is given a fresh breath in Lin Manuel Miranda’s production of tick, tick … BOOM!, which Larson wrote chronicling his 30th birthday and the events surrounding his showcase for Superbia, an ill-fated production whose failure Larson was sure would ruin…
The Beatles: Get Back
What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Disney Plus Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Lovely Bones, They Shall Not Grow Old) directs this documentary culled from in-studio footage of The Beatles in 1969 and 1970 as they developed their final album, Let It Be, which at the time had the…
Holiday concert season begins with a bang
‘Tis the season to wear outrageously gaudy sweaters, drink spiked eggnog, graciously accept inedible fruitcake gifts, and most importantly, listen to Christmas carols and holiday music. If that sentence put your teeth on edge, read no further. But if you’re as excited as Buddy was to see Santa in the movie Elf, gather ’round for…
Gallery at Marina Square showcases three new artists in December exhibitions
Three local artists celebrated the debut of their respective exhibitions at Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay during a joint reception on Dec. 11. The venue is currently showcasing handcrafted jewelry and paintings from Lisa Kanofsky, photography from Kerry Drager, and drawings and paintings from Don Doubledee. Each exhibit is scheduled to remain on…
The Wine History Project celebrates the ancient ways of amphorae winemaking and the local winemakers reviving it
Before wine was fermented in wooden barrels or concrete wine tanks, it was made in clay amphorae. The story of this ancient practice begins 6,000 years ago, and it’s being revived by a number of local wineries today—work that’s celebrated in a new exhibit by the Wine History Project of San Luis Obispo County. “This…
Get a huge dose of ska at The Siren on Dec. 18
Most ska fans know the genre was created in the late 1950s in Jamaica when Caribbean mento and calypso musicians became inspired by the American jazz and R&B sounds they could pick up on their radios. But the Western Standard Time Ska Orchestra takes it even further, creating 1940s Big Band-style arrangements of early-1960s ska…
Grover Beach Community Library hosts Storytime with Santa
On Dec. 18, the Grover Beach Community Library will hold a special holiday event, Storytime with Santa, from 11 a.m. to noon. Santa Claus will read ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas during this family-friendly, outdoor program (held in the library’s parking lot). Attendees will also have the opportunity to take photos with Santa during the…
Unnecessary protection
In 1974, President Ford established the first National Marine Sanctuary off North Carolina—The USS Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. It was established to protect the shipwreck, and is currently being considered for expansion to protect additional shipwrecks. Currently there are five National Marine Sanctuaries off the West Coast, four of which are located off the coast…
The Rittenhouse verdict
The acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse for shooting three men during the Kenosha riots was not a surprise to anyone who had actually watched any of the trial, instead of just absorbing the fevered blather of the chattering pundits. Still, the usual leftist commentators are reacting with shock and rage to the jury’s decision to overturn…
Facts and facts
“A beach isn’t people,” according to 4th District SLO County Supervisor Lynn Compton, who dropped this little nugget of wisdom during the county’s final redistricting hearing on Dec. 14. That, my friends, is what I call an actual legal fact. A beach is defined as sand and an ocean, not people, so I guess Compton…
SLO files motion to dismiss homeless mistreatment lawsuit
The city of San Luis Obispo filed a motion in federal court to dismiss a lawsuit that claims it criminalizes its homeless community. Five transient residents of SLO and the nonprofit Hope’s Village sued the city earlier this year. “The city’s past and ongoing treatment of unhoused individuals threatened and continues to threaten their health,…
Landowners sue SLO County over Bob Jones Trail
Four property owners along the proposed route of the Bob Jones Trail have filed a lawsuit against San Luis Obispo County to stop progress on the project, which recently received a $18.2 million shot in the arm thanks to a state grant. Petitioners Ray Bunnell, Robert Kruse, Edward Pollard, and James Warren all own large…
Cambria CSD to fund part of skate park project
Every Friday, Cambria residents gather on Main Street across from the Vets Hall to rally. Organized by Skate Cambria, the participants all want one thing: A new skate park to replace the one that was removed in mid-2020. The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) committed to funding at least part of the project at its…
Nipomo’s residents are waiting for recreational facilities as the county waits on potential skate park grants
Former Santa Cruz locals Jameson and Laura Lucero were in for a shock when they moved to Nipomo five years ago. Coming from the “skate capital of the world,” the couple found Nipomo’s lack of recreational activities staring starkly at them. “It’s really sad, because I have young children, and when I take them to…
SLOPD details new information about creek bed homicide
The man suspected of murdering a homeless person by the creek bed at Bianchi Open Space on Nov. 20 is being investigated for a slew of prior charges he racked up over the years, according to the San Luis Obispo Police Department “He hasn’t been arraigned on a homicide charge yet. The suspect is on…
King Tides Project shows how the coast will look if the climate crisis isn’t mitigated
King tides are coming to the Central Coast, and you can be part of a community science project to help document them. Annie Kohut Frankel, manager of the Coastal Commission’s California King Tides Project, explained that these natural phenomena—the highest tides of the year—happen each winter. “They’re predictable: They’re when the sun, the moon, and…
Lawsuit coming to challenge new SLO County redistricting map
Just minutes after San Luis Obispo County supervisors officially drew new district lines for the next decade that align with the controversial “Patten map,” a newly formed nonprofit announced plans to take it to court. SLO County Citizens for Good Government—a “bipartisan” organization made up of residents who were active in the 2021 county redistricting…
