Cover Story
Taking account: Is San Luis Obispo County chipping away at homelessness?
The Salinas Riverbed in Paso Robles looks a whole lot different today than it did two winters ago. In 2015, it teemed with tents, trash, and the belongings of dozens of people living there without any other shelter. Now, walking along the city’s River Walk trail on a cold December morning, there’s not a tent…
Let’s tear down these walls of fear and ignorance
“Hope springs eternal.” It is really all that can sustain us when truth is no longer of value. We are now left to cope with the consequence of a traumatic 2017, with all of its destructive shouts and actions as well as the few constructive ones. Most of us, however, are capable of logic, forethought,…
It’s a trap!
Don’t give in to the endless consumerism and freak-out frenzy of the “shopping season.” Instead, give them what they really want: chances to eat and drink great stuff with the people they love most! Consider purchasing a gift certificate for a local restaurant or deli and know you are supporting locally owned businesses in our…
A board majority that does nothing right
I watched with dismay on Dec. 12 as the SLO County Board of Supervisors decided to take no action on the SLO County Title 29 Affordable Housing Fund. In the face of an ever-worsening shortage of affordable housing, the board, by a 3-2 vote, chose to do nothing. This, despite overwhelming public comments that favored…
News nibs
Rising from the ashes: Through Dec. 31, Granada Hotel & Bistro in SLO will donate 50 percent of sales from all Santa Barbara wines to benefit fire relief. The Station SLO will also donate 10 percent of all wine bottle sales to benefit the disaster. All of these proceeds will be donated to those affected…
A grave threat to the Republic
First, let me wish all readers of New Times and its staff a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. That being said to the annoyance of the “PC police,” the Republic is in peril. Recent media revelations about the corruption surrounding the investigation of Trump and his election campaign are not simply depressing, they’re…
Tapped
Green beer isn’t just for St. Paddy’s Day. From composting and conserving water to serving up regional cheeses and meats (Central Coast Creamery, Alle-Pia Fine Cured Meats), to their taproom, which, of course, is made with repurposed materials, 7 Sisters Brewing might be the greenest local beer in SLO. Visit the new taproom and see…
Mining for coal
Merry Christmas ya’ll! Your gift this year isn’t a lump of coal—yet. I’m going to go ahead and say that one is really up to President Humpty Trumpty, as it’s very possible that he will allow for coal mining (or oil drilling or clear-cutting) to develop on your favorite piece of federally owned land near…
SLOcally Made Magic
“Shopping local” should not be like flossing your teeth (something you say you do around your friends, but secretly never do, for some vague reason). What makes downtown SLO so great isn’t its high concentration of chain stores and cheaply priced made-in-China junk. It’s the real-life, flesh-and-blood small business owners, who provide thoughtfully curated gifts…
Social media sound off
This week, New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts about a psychiatric hospital in Templeton being years away from completion (Dec. 14).
Steve Powers looks to revamp SLO County’s art fairs
A nice day for art Set aside some time on the calendar next year for the Paso Robles Art in the Park event (April 28 and 29) or one of the Morro Bay Art in the Park events (May 26 , 27, and 28; July 7 and 8; and Sept. 1, 2, and 3). Visit…
Jury finds stretch of Highway 1 ‘dangerous’ for passing
A San Luis Obispo County jury concluded on Dec. 12 that a stretch of Highway 1 south of Hearst Castle is in “dangerous condition,” after a 2011 head-on collision at the location severely injured a man and killed his wife. In a personal injury case against the state Department of Transportation (Caltrans), jurors agreed with…
SLO artist focuses on shared existence through digital art
Look around SLO artist Bryn Forbes’ A Light Behind Every Window exhibit will be on display at the SLO Museum of Art through Jan. 28. Visit sloma.org for more information. At one point, Bryn Forbes was traveling so much for work that he often joked that his address was seat 12F, c/o United Airlines. On…
Home on the water: One family lives in Port San Luis Harbor but a rent increase is moving them out
When the Rider family first came to the Central Coast in 2011, CC Rider, his wife, and two younger daughters walked into Ross in downtown San Luis Obispo. “The girls were wobbling all over the place, and we had to hold onto things in the store; it was pretty funny,” Rider said. The family had…
Experience Christmas at Hearst Castle
Enjoy a festive taste of the roaring 1920s with Hearst Castle’s Holiday Twilight Tours. Come see the estate in full Christmas glory! Complete with massive wreaths, towering Christmas trees, and a large poinsettia display, these tours run all throughout the month of December. Learn about the castle’s holiday hosting history while experiencing William Randolph Hearst’s…
Caregiver could lose power of attorney over $78 million lotto winner
A Paso Robles woman who has control over the finances of an 88-year-old lottery winner could have her power of attorney stripped away, according to a SLO County Superior Court judge. At a Dec. 15 hearing, Judge Donald Umhofer said he will hear evidence next month about whether that woman, Tiffany Borba, should continue to…
Morro Bay hosts Winter Faire and Juried Craft Show
Find beautiful crafts with good prices at the annual Morro Bay Winter Faire and Juried Craft Show. This holiday event brings together a wide selection of items made by local artists, featuring everything from paintings to photography. Enjoy handmade art in a variety of media, including wood, glass, wire, and more. Come look for your…
Morro Bay’s new finance director finds $800,000 error in sewer fund
Just two months in, Morro Bay’s newly hired financial director discovered an $800,000 error in the 2017-18 projected fund balance for the sewer project. At the Nov. 14 City Council meeting, the city manager and project team were asked to prepare an updated fiscal year fourth quarter budget report for the city’s Water Reclamation Facility…
Learn to shoot wildlife photos
Learn about nature and photography through a wildlife photography presentation, hosted by the Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival on Jan 7. A slideshow presentation, led by veteran photographer Brady Cabe, will showcase local birds in their natural habitats. Cabe will share the background and inspiration behind each shot while giving tips for aspiring wildlife photographers.…
SLO hones in on strategies to address pension shortfall
The San Luis Obispo City Council is looking at mixing cuts with new tax revenues to cover an impending $8.9 million budget shortfall due to rising pension costs. At its Dec. 12 meeting, the council heard a variety of staff recommendations to keep the city solvent through compounding increases to payments to the California Public…
Leaves do change color on the Central Coast, you just have to wait until December
Go gawk Get to Nacimiento-Fergusson Road by taking the Jolon Road exit off Highway 101 North near Bradley. Follow it until you reach Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, then hang a left. It runs through the Fort Hunter-Liggett Army Base, and eventually finds the river. Happy driving! Winter on the Central Coast is when things actually start to…
Cambria welcomes its newest addition to the district board
After three special meetings that ran a total of nine hours, the Cambria Community Services District swore in its newest director, David Pierson. The board unanimously voted for Pierson on Dec. 19, avoiding the costs of a special election or ceding control of the decision to the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors. With…
Donation station: Concerts raise money for Thomas Fire victims
Update: It looks like the Smash Mouth concert scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Fremont Theater was canceled. The Fremont posted this note about it on its Facebook page: “It is with great regret we must inform you that Smash Mouth’s performance for tonight’s show at the Fremont Theater has been cancelled. We have been informed lead singer…
Cal Poly grad creates new restaurant deals app
Finding the best deals on local eateries in San Luis Obispo County can sometimes be a hassle. You can wait until Wednesday to get a coupon book, hear about a deal from a friend, or check out an app like Groupon. Now, Brett Foreman has created an app where all the best deals are at…
Lackluster: ‘Wonder Wheel’ falls short of being anything
WONDER WHEEL What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Ryah? Nothing What’s it worth, Karen? Nothing Where’s it showing? The Palm (last showing Dec. 21) Editor’s note: Arts Editor Ryah Cooley and Staff Writer Karen Garcia are filling in for Glen and Anna Starkey this week. From writer/director Woody Allen (Café Society, Midnight in Paris)…
Safe, clean, and reliable
Just as there is no scary monster in your closet or under the bed, there is no scary power plant on the cliffs 7 miles north of Avila Beach 85 feet above sea level. Too much unabated misinformation has been spread about Diablo Canyon for more than 40 years. Hopefully the following will negate much…
Blast from the Past: Man on the Moon
When? 1999 What’s it rated? R Where’s it available? DVD, Streaming on Amazon When it comes to method acting, how far is too far? Jared Leto reportedly sent dead rats and used condoms to his co-stars during the making of Suicide Squad. It’s sad when such “dedication” results in an arguably subpar performance that’s easily…
Public Utilities Commission delays vote on Diablo closure plan
The fate of an $85 million settlement for SLO County schools and agencies as a stopgap for the looming Diablo Canyon Power Plant closure will hang in the balance until 2018. Scheduled to make a decision on PG&E’s application to decommission Diablo Canyon, the last nuclear power plant in the state, the California Public Utilities…
New ‘cage-free’ initiative could have consequences
United Egg Producers (UEP) and California Egg Farmers spent millions 10 years ago opposing Proposition 2, which banned cruel battery cages for egg-laying hens in factory farms throughout California. UEP and company were unsuccessful and the proposition passed. They are now seeking to “upgrade” the law they opposed by repealing its central provision. The so-called…
Film listings 12/21/17 – 12/28/17
COCO What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy Pick Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina co-direct this animated adventure-comedy written by the directors and Jason Katz and Matthew Aldrich, about Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), an aspiring musician from a family in which…
The public should know more about grand jurors
It’s nearly impossible to find out who is representing the people on the grand jury. The only method I’m aware of is obtaining FPPC conflict of interest filings. By law, jurors are required to disclose property, income, and business interests. This year, I obtained 17 filings (one juror failed to file). Not a single juror…
Sugar Momma Pies taste of sweet survival
Thanks, mom! Sugar Momma Pies is located on Islay Street in San Luis Obispo. For more information and to read Nicodemus’ blog, The Murmur, go to sugarmommapies.com or follow @sugarmommapies on Instagram. For orders, sign up online or call (805) 704-2229. Jeneane Nicodemus wasn’t having a swell holiday season. The year was 2015, and everything…
