Cover Story
Light show: The Central Coast puts up holiday cheer every year
Glimpses of glimmering light and everything bright are an annual occurrence in towns and cities across the United States. And the Central Coast is no different. Although our region lacks the snow, California’s coastal residents like to doll it up for the holiday season, putting on shows that bring in tourists and comfort locals every…
Solar Santa
Joel Hayes doesn’t drive a sleigh pulled by reindeer, but like Santa, he’s on a mission from the North Pole (well, as close as he could get) to spread cheer, hope, and inspiration. His sleigh is a camper van he designed and built with a small team of visionaries, who launched Route Del Sol, a…
Studios on the Park presents Keeping the Faith exhibition
Keeping the Faith: An Artistic Celebration of Judaism opens at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles on Thursday, Jan. 2, and will run through Sunday, Jan. 26. This art and film showcase features more than 70 artworks depicting Jewish heritage, culture, and traditions. “It will be a very uplifting and educational experience,” exhibit curator…
No regrets!
Don’t you hate it when one word gets you into trouble? You start talking and it just tumbles out of your mouth before you have the chance to put it back in. And then you immediately regret it. Well, for me, it’s like that sometimes—except I regret nothing! Karen White, vice president of the Oceano…
Downtown SLO announces window decorating contest winners
More than 30 Downtown SLO businesses took part in this year’s Holiday Window Decorating Contest. Participating businesses created imaginative window displays centered on the theme of “Holidays Around the World.” The event’s judging committee selected three winners: First place went to Jules D., second place to Change of a Dress Resale Boutique, and third place…
Sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on our Dec. 19 cover story, “Cash only.”
Art Center Morro Bay holds free pastel demonstration
The Morro Bay Art Association hosts a soft pastel demonstration with award-winning artist Greg Trombly at Art Center Morro Bay on Monday, Jan. 13, from 3 to 5 p.m. Trombly will be applying color combinations to illuminate a landscape of a shoreline with a sunset sky during this demo, which will focus on basic drawing…
Homeless woman claims she was unjustly suspended from Prado
A homeless San Luis Obispo resident claims she was temporarily kicked out of the 40 Prado Homeless Services Center for three days and nights over a minor disagreement with a staff member. Now she’s protesting the suspension. Mid-afternoon on Dec. 19, just hours after the alleged incident, Brenda, who requested that we omit her last…
Basement diaries: A glimpse into the New Times editorial team’s home away from home
It takes a lot of talented individuals to put together a newspaper publication, and in our case, it takes an eclectic group to produce the New Times every week. Every single person plays a vital role, so first, a huge shout-out to the advertising team, production crew, marketing and events people, executive assistants, publishers, editors,…
Paso wants Congress to tweak rail policies
The city of Paso Robles is calling on the Federal Railroad Administration to continue increasing its safety oversight and re-evaluate existing rules. City Councilmember Fred Strong told New Times that the city sent a letter to Sens. Diane Feinstein and Kamala Harris and U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) in December asking them to support…
The Rise of Skywalker feels forced
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Karen? Matinee What’s it worth Caleb? Matinee Where’s it showing? Bay, Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 Editor’s note: Staff Writer Karen Garcia and Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood, two Rebel Alliance veterans, took over Split Screen this week so the Starkeys could…
SLO has a month to consider moving to by-district elections
San Luis Obispo is the latest local city facing a demand to change how it elects its City Council members. A November demand letter submitted to the city by Santa Barbara-based attorney Robert Goodman alleges that SLO’s current “at-large” election system violates the California Voting Rights Act. In the letter, issued on behalf of client…
An all-Spanish magazine is coming to SLO County
One Templeton resident and her partner are putting together the only all-Spanish magazine in San Luis Obispo County, which will be available through the county and in Santa Maria starting in January 2020. Latinos make up 23 percent of San Luis Obispo County’s population, and 18 percent of the households speak a language other than…
Why brunch? Because you deserve to take your time, you love your family and friends, and Novo’s new chef has revamped their menu
Get your brunch on Brunch is one of the main attractions at Novo, served every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a new menu and featured brunch drinks or a brunch package that includes a first course, main course, dessert, bottomless mimosas, and Coastal Peaks drip coffee for $39 per person. Novo is…
Siren call: Head out to Morro Bay if you’re looking to dance the night away over the midweek holiday weirdness
Think that head-bobbing horn lines layered over ass-moving bass, drums, and synth is a great way to spend the evening? You’re definitely in luck. Numbskull and Good Medicine Presents are bringing to town Con Brio, a seven-piece band from the Bay Area named for an Italian musical direction that means “with spirit.” The self-described mix…
Misc. nibbles
Gopher Glen Organic Apple Farm is having an apple blow-out sale on Dec. 28 and Dec. 29 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Avila Valley Barn, 560 Avila Beach Drive, SLO. Ten bucks for 20 pounds of apples—from fuji to braeburn—is the deal of the day, so bring your grocery sacks and fill…
Voters support a sales tax increase in SLO, city survey says
As San Luis Obispo eyes ways to boost revenue amid costly pension obligations and a backlog of capital improvement projects, a city-sponsored survey found that most voters would support a sales tax increase if it were on a ballot. Of 442 voters randomly selected for a phone survey that took place in September, a hefty…
Seasonal eats
The very last day of 2019, where will you ring in the new year? The indomitable chef King has created a special à la carte menu for New Year’s Eve at the Somerset Bar & Grill from 5 to 9 p.m. If I could order for you: Begin with the Seafood Plateau of oysters, shrimp,…
McConnell—you’re the last straw!
The oath required of all U.S. senators prior to an impeachment trial is, “I solemnly swear that all things appertaining to the trial of the impeachment of Donald J. Trump, now pending, I will do impartial justice according the Constitution and laws: So help me God.” Recently, in an interview with Fox News, Senate Majority…
Bench memorializing beloved Cal Poly employee en route to campus
A memorial fundraiser for a Cal Poly employee who was killed in a car accident this summer raised more than $5,200 in four days, reaching and going beyond its $5,000 goal by Dec. 20. “Monica was so loved by so many people,” fundraising organizer Karen Smith told New Times. “We’re so very overwhelmed by the…
Cold + Flu Defense Shots Naturale
VirtJuice figured out how to make nature’s best health shot taste pretty darn pleasant. People are talking about VirtJuice in Arroyo Grande as the best place to find all the juices, food smoothies, soups, salads, and other local superfood/health store products that you always want to have in your wellness arsenal. Plus, their natural chic…
We needed that funding!
I was delighted to hear that Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham delivered again for the Central Coast by securing the necessary funds for widening Antelope Grade. This is one of the most dangerous stretches of road in the state. It is nerve-wracking to drive it. Thank you again, Assemblyman Cunningham. Well done! Adrienne Hawkinson Atascadero
The pilot of a trash cleanup program for homeless camps was a success, but implementation could prove challenging
A little less than a mile southwest of the Octagon Barn, under the South Higuera Street bridge, and tucked deep into a patch of dense vegetation running alongside San Luis Obispo Creek, sits one of SLO County’s many homeless encampments. Tents and tarps make up most of the living spaces, which are scattered around and…
Bingeable: Magic For Humans
When? 2018-19 What’s it rated? TV-14 Where? Netflix Fake or real, staged or authentic, Magic for Humans is an entertaining combination of an on-the-street magic series and sketch-comedy show. Magician and comedian Justin Willman hosts the show, which just aired its second season on Netflix in December. Each season has six episodes of less than…
If we can do it, why can’t he?
I had the privilege of serving on a jury last week. We were sworn to maintain an open mind until all evidence and closing arguments were in. We did not coordinate with the defendant. In fact, we were instructed to have no contact with the defendant or her lawyer or the prosecutor. Both sides even…
Atascadero-raised poet’s recent book grapples with issues that ring true locally and nationally
On sale Ephraim Scott Sommers’ book of poetry, Someone You Love Is Still Alive, is available for purchase at jacarpress.com/someone-you-love-is-still-alive. Having grown up in Atascadero, Ephraim Scott Sommers peppered his 2019 book of poetry with Central Coast references and stories from his upbringing. But the book, titled Someone You Love Is Still Alive, also touches…
Film Listings, 12/26/19 – 1/2/20
All theater listings are as of Friday, Dec. 27. Editor’s note: The updated listings (past Thursday, Dec. 26) for Park and Stadium 10 were unavailable at press time. Call the theaters or check their websites for accurate listings. A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth? Full price Where’s it…
Another win for the Central Coast
Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham called our ability to get the state to fund the Highway 46 widening a “big win” for SLO on Facebook. I couldn’t agree more. But this isn’t the only infrastructure win we’ve experienced over the past couple of years. Cunningham also fought for and secured more than $150 million to finally fix…
SLO lays out long-term path to get 70 percent of the way to its net-zero goal
Absent more state and federal help, San Luis Obispo leaders say the city can only realistically get about 70 percent of the way to its ambitious target for carbon neutrality by 2035. And even that 70 percent will require full-bore community effort and buy-in, city leaders said at a Dec. 3 City Council meeting. “It’s…
A message to the boomers
John Donegan’s Dec. 19 opinion piece, “OK Boomer,” is certainly more entertaining than Al Fonzi’s grim, factually distorted harangues. In his latest piece, Donegan uses sardonic satire to lambaste the younger generations of the past and present as “snide, dismissive, condescending, and passively aggressive.” He particularly takes aim at the young climate activist, Greta Thunberg,…
California Men’s Colony will celebrate its first college graduation with family present in 2020
The California Men’s Colony and the Central Coast Adult School are gearing up for their first college graduation ceremony, which will include two family members for each student. “We’ve done GED and vocational graduations before, but this is the first time we’re doing a college-only graduation. It’s going to be a special event because the…
Dear Salud Carbajal
I was very sorry to read you voted for impeachment, but not surprised. You have handed the Republicans a major victory in November 2020. The president is not going to be removed from office via impeachment. The Senate will never vote to impeach him. In 11 months, the American voters will decide Donald Trump’s fate,…
Great American Melodrama closes the Christmas season with annual Holiday Extravaganza
Deck the halls The Great American Melodrama and Vaudeville presents The Holiday Extravaganza through Tuesday, Dec. 31. Tickets to the show range from $28 to $33. The theater is located at 1863 Front St., Oceano. Call (805) 489-2499 or visit americanmelodrama.com for performance times and more info. Christmas may be behind us, but there’s still…
Equal pay for equal work is nonsense
Equal pay for equal work. Just what does it mean? Frankly, unless you are doing piece work, I have no idea. What I do know is when an employer hires you, the employer takes into account one’s education, certificates, experience, and physical ability, if applicable. Over time, the employer will note if you have a…
