Cover Story
Mighty Heidi: Heidi Harmon wants SLO to be a net-zero emissions city. Can it happen?
Before becoming the mayor of San Luis Obispo, Heidi Harmon often searched for symbolic victories in her progressive and environmentally centered political career. One of her favorites happened during her campaign for the 35th District State Assembly seat in 2014. Running against Republican incumbent Katcho Achadjian, Harmon recognized from the outset that she’d likely lose…
Big trouble in little AG: Tensions between the mayor and the Arroyo Grande City Council are coming to a head
Longtime Arroyo Grande resident Patty Welsh liked Mayor Jim Hill. When Hill mounted a write-in campaign challenging the city’s former embattled mayor in 2014, Welsh said she supported the effort. “I helped him,” Welsh told New Times. “I was one of the ones who made the [campaign] signs.” Nearly three years later, Welsh stood before…
Former KPRL host Dan Del Campo to join planning commission
A skeptic of man-made climate change and outspoken opponent of environmental regulations will join the SLO County Planning Commission. The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 on Feb. 21, with Supervisor Adam Hill dissenting, to approve Dan Del Campo to the five-member commission. Del Campo is SLO County Supervisor John Peschong’s pick to represent North County’s…
Public, SLO City Council to workshop rental inspection program
SLO city residents interested in the city’s rental housing inspection program (RHIP) can attend a workshop to discuss its future on Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Veterans Hall. Hosted by the city, the workshop’s purpose is to “exchange ideas, define problems, and propose solutions for the RHIP,” according to a city staff report.…
What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
James Kelsch restaurant manager “To go home and make my girlfriend a surprise dinner of chicken parmesan.” Lexi McCoy baker “To bake a lot of cupcakes for the shop and then go to the beach with my boyfriend.” Paul Boes delivery “To go wine tasting in Edna Valley and then to dinner in Avila Beach…
Linnaea’s Marionberry Mocha and Rock Front Ranch’s Jujube Tea
Many a Portlandia fan understands the allure of the humble marionberry, a blackberry-olallieberry crossbreed developed at Oregon State University (fun fact). You don’t have to knit sweaters for trees or stand in line for hours outside of that hip new brunch spot to enjoy this sweet treat, which is perfectly cozy when paired with a…
Raise a wine glass
Winemaking is a team sport: Donated grapes and community spirit will again come together for Talley Vineyards’ ninth annual Mano Tinta revolving artist label competition. Over the years, this charity wine has showcased a rainbow of colorful labels—all symbolic of the vineyard worker and their craft. Want to try your hand? The competition is open…
Slow down and chew: Slow Money SLO connects farmers, food purveyors, lenders and the public
The rain is coming down fast and slick, but it’s warm, dry, and cozy inside the San Luis Obispo Guild Hall. The air is thick with the smell of ginger and jujube tea, dark chocolate peanut butter balls, and spicy jalapeños. Karli and Curtis Twisselman stand in the center of the room, holding mason jars…
Jog with dogs
What do wine tasting, helping the community, and Elvis Presley costumes all have in common? Why, they’re all things that happen at the Paso Robles Dog Jog, of course! The Dog Jog is an annual fundraiser for Sherwood Dog Park in Paso Robles. It is put on by nonprofit organization Parks 4 Pups and takes…
Treading underwater: The water board is not happy with the Cambria Community Services District
The Cambria Community Services District is in the hot seat with the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, which is threatening to revoke the district’s water treatment facility permits and/or to issue a potential penalty of $600,000. On Feb. 9, the water board issued three violations to the district for constantly being late with…
Only 101 black bears in SLO County, study finds
After a years-long scientific study, biologists believe they have a more accurate number for the population of black bears in SLO County. A recent report commissioned by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimated the number of black bears in SLO County at just 101, far fewer than previous estimates. The study, conducted by…
Travel ban prevents filmmaker from attending SLO Film Fest
While the ultimate fate of President Donald Trump’s travel ban remains uncertain, it’s still preventing an Iranian filmmaker from attending the San Luis Obispo Film Fest in March. Originally implemented through an executive order in January, the temporary ban blocked citizens from seven predominately Muslim countries—Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lybia, Sudan, Yemen, and Somalia—from entering the…
Head-scratching petty politics
Looks like the kerfuffle over the SLO Chamber of Commerce video featuring SLO Fire Chief Garret Olson and SLO City Manager Katie Lichtig is heating up. According to SLO City Attorney Christine Dietrick, the city has received two fiery complaints “alleging a variety of violations of state and local workplace laws and policies.” If you…
Whitherward brings its eclectic indie folk to the Morro Bay Wine Seller on Feb. 17
In their video for “The Dragon,” Whitherward—an indie folk duo from Nashville that’s been on continual tour since they left a couple of years ago—filmed in Cambria’s Nitt Witt Ridge of all places. The weird, folk-art house constructed by reclusive artist Arthur “Art” Harold Beal (aka, Der Tinkerpaw or Captain Nitt Witt), who was a…
Thanks for echoing how silent conservatives feel
I would like to commend the New Times for even daring to publish a piece like Gary Wechter’s Feb. 9 commentary, “So, you didn’t vote for Trump,” as the media is so left-wing biased and don’t usually like to hear anyone who expresses a different opinion than theirs. The opinion piece was well written by…
Harmon is a leader for all
Heidi Harmon is a role model for leadership, and the city of San Luis Obispo is so very fortunate to have her as its mayor. She came to this post after great reflection and a deep desire to help the city continue to be a safe, sustainable, and welcoming community. Heidi is a leader—not a…
Drop the sanctuary fight and unite against oil
San Luis Obispo County is currently engaged in character assassinations similar to the Salem witch hunts and burning people at the stake over made-up or perceived transgressions. One of the supervisors was accused of taking money from Big Oil, but when we look to see what Big Oil is, it turns out to be a…
Dear ‘New Times’ readers
In my column last week, “The meaning of fraud,” I discussed a rumor of election fraud carried out by my friend Al Fonzi and Atascadero Mayor Tom O’Malley, for an imaginary election that never happened. Atascadero did not hold an election in 2013. The allegation was just that, a suggestion of possible events without any…
Remnants of an offshore oil disaster
If there’s any question about drilling for oil off the coast of San Luis Obispo County, just take a walk on the beach at the Bacara Resort & Spa or Four Seasons Hotel in Santa Barbara County. And when you’re finished walking along the beautiful shoreline, notice the signs directing you to clean off your…
The disaster that wasn’t
The photo on the front page of the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday, Feb. 13, was ominous as a torrent of water released from the Oroville Dam spillway thundered into the valley below. The recent rains have overwhelmed the capacity of Oroville Dam to hold back millions of acre-feet of water, washing out part of…
Thank God you’re in charge now
Now that I know that you have the power, I can rest easy and not concern myself with all of the claims and lies being spread by the crooked media and the left wing radicals. If only my parents had beaten me when I misbehaved as a youth, as I’m sure yours did to you…
Clubs 2/16/17 – 2/23/17
Goin’ South THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach, 773-5000, cliffsresort.com. FIGUEROA MOUNTAIN BREWING CO.: Singer/Songwriter Night every Wed. from 8-10pm. 1462 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, 474-8525, figmtnbrew.com. 2/18: Wall of Tom 7-10pm; 2/24: Noach Tangeras Band from 8:30-11pm; 2/25: Doc Stotley from 8:30-11pm. HARRY’S NIGHT CLUB AND BEACH BAR: Cypress and…
Guilty Pleasures: The Black Dragon’s Revenge
When? 1975 | What’s it rated? R | Where’s it availble? DVD and Blu-ray. Do you like 1970s Blaxploitation flicks? How about cheesy ’70s kung fu flicks? Well prepare yourself for the ultimate mash-up with The Black Dragon’s Revenge about three rival gangs trying to learn the “real” reason Bruce Lee died. Starring Ron “The…
Growing on up
As the impending apocalypse draws nearer, the idea of self-sufficiency and living off the land sounds more and more appealing. Join Central Coast Grown on Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. for a screening of Gaining Ground, an award-winning film about growing food, empowering communities, and changing lives. The event at the SLO Guild Hall will…
Art for sale
Itching to build a home art collection, but don’t know where to start? Head to Donald Archer and Lori Slater’s annual studio sale in Cambria Feb. 18 and 19. Archer’s paintings, many of which are inspired by the Central Coast and the California landscape, include mixed media on canvas and watercolor on paper. Each painting…
Defying gravity
Be transported to a world where humans do the impossible or at least the improbable with an evening at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center watching the Golden Dragon Acrobats on Feb. 26 at 4 p.m. The dazzling troupe, which hails from the People’s Republic of China, has toured the United States continuously since 1978.…
White wonderland: Finding solace in the iconic views of Yosemite
I wanted to visit a remote place that had spotty Wi-Fi and cell service, so that I could refrain from the everyday social media, email, and text message checking that I find myself constantly doing. So my boyfriend and I packed our duffel bags and headed to the beautiful white-blanketed grounds of Yosemite National Park.…
For the love of pie: Sweet Art show celebrates all things yum
With the aftermath of Valentine’s Day consisting of a heart shaped box filled with crumpled-up wrappers and half-eaten chocolates, it can be easy to think, “Maybe I shouldn’t eat my feelings,” or, “Perhaps food doesn’t equal love.” Artist Kendyll Hillegas would object to the latter. About six years ago, the Boston-based creative was diagnosed with…
All rise: Local students compete in mock trial
Local middle and high school students got a glimpse into the drama of our justice system recently when they participated in a series of mock trials concerning defendant “Cameron Awbrey,” a restaurant owner accused of human trafficking and false imprisonment of his employee “Lin Stark,” an immigrant from the fictional nation “Tanterra.” San Luis Obispo…
SLO fire chief and city manager get complaints over video
In the wake of a controversy over a video aired at the recent San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce dinner featuring jokes about “hot,” “shirtless” firefighters, the city’s fire chief and city manager are facing formal complaints. City Attorney Christine Dietrick confirmed that two complaints were filed with regard to the video. Both of them…
