Cover Story
Balancing act: The Oceano Dunes permit compliance issues highlight the difficulty of harmonizing recreational uses with resource conservation
Water flushes out from under the tires that roll south through Arroyo Grande Creek toward a wall of sand stacked 4 to 6 feet high on the other side. Nick Lalanne hits the gas pedal of his white Chevy to motor up the bank and park, overlooking something that hasn’t happened in several years. The…
Rushing to defense: Cal Poly expresses support for undocumented students amid nationwide uncertainty
As President Donald Trump initiates broad plans to escalate deportations of undocumented immigrants, Cal Poly is moving forward to open a center that will support its undocumented student population. The Cal Poly DREAM Center is set to open in early April in the Hillcrest Building, and it will provide a “safe and welcome space” for…
Yiannopoulos event at Cal Poly sells out, draws protests
SWAT and anti-riot teams stood at the ready. A tall metal fence surrounded Cal Poly’s Spanos Theatre and ticketholders who huddled together inside. Police were everywhere, even on the rooftop. Milo Yiannopoulos, a controversial British right-wing activist, was about to speak on Jan. 31, and the community was on edge. People had reason to worry.…
Trump’s Muslim travel ban impacts Cal Poly students
The impact of President Donald Trump’s controversial executive order temporarily banning individuals from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the U.S. is being felt at Cal Poly, which is home to a small number of students from two of the countries included in the ban. University officials confirmed that three students currently attending the university…
After last week’s rainstorms, what couldn’t you wait to do once the sun came out?
Stephen Brooks SLO resident “Rock climbing at all the city’s peaks. Bishop’s Peak is my favorite.” Jake Douglas Cal Poly student “It’s nice to be able to study outside again.” Michael Gerlach visiting from the Santa Cruz Mountains “I like to go down to the extreme low tides and explore.” Moo-nipero Serra cow “Chillin’ outside…
Get beautiful: Beauty Box brings threading, waxing, and more to Foothill
Being a woman can be very high maintenance sometimes. People expect you to have perfect hair, sculpted eyebrows, the “right” kind of makeup, and silky smooth skin. Keeping up with all these expectations can be challenging, but there’s help out there in the form of Beauty Box, which provides a wide variety of beauty services…
Cannabis conflict: Local growers battle a consulting firm for the future of marijuana regulations in SLO County
Imagine being a small, local farmer and being asked to pay $1 million in taxes for a single acre of a single crop. It’s a hypothetical future that Jason Callum warns could be a reality for local marijuana growers in San Luis Obispo County. “I don’t know any other agricultural farmers that have to pay…
Murder victim’s family sues estate of clairvoyant
The family of a 34-year-old Paso Robles man who was shot to death in 2015 is suing the estate of the self-proclaimed psychic accused of his murder. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in SLO Superior Court Jan. 25 against the estate of 62-year-old Nicole Honait Luxor. Luxor was arrested and charged with the murder…
New nonprofit HomeShareSLO tries to pair senior roommates
HomeShareSLO is launching a program this month to set up single seniors living on their own and looking for a roommate with compatible matches. Celeste Goyer, operations director of HomeShareSLO, said the reason for establishing the program was to find sources of affordable housing for seniors who cannot afford to live on their own. According…
Cal Poly resolution tackles workplace culture issues
A resolution brought before the Cal Poly academic senate on Jan. 24 calls for an independent review of the recent departures of minority Cal Poly staff members and the establishment of a policy to conduct exit interviews for employees who decide to leave Cal Poly. Over the course of 18 months, 11 African-American staff members…
Safe space!
It’s important for all people to feel safe, to be free of “micro-aggressions,” and to be given “trigger warnings” to inform them that they might be subjected to something offensive, which is no doubt why Breitbart online editor, “alt-right” pundit, and self-described “dangerous faggot” Milo Yiannopoulos was given a “safe space” on Jan. 31 in…
Facts and warm fuzzies
My wife showed me Michael Latner’s recent opinion piece today (“Lies, damned lies, and The Donald,” Jan. 26). It is awful. Full of actual data, not my valued opinions, (actually not my opinions, but you get the idea). How can I get my warm fuzzy feeling when truth hits me in the face? Then again,…
Sorting the wheat from the chaff
We have become a nation of cynics as we disbelieve anything stated if it isn’t from a source within our comfort zone. To suggest that there have been only four cases of documented voter fraud in the 2016 election is to reinvent the meaning of the word “fraud.” Researching multiple sources on the net regarding…
Accepting reality
Now that the victors of last November have all been sworn in, some of us are having difficulty accepting the results. Just look at President Donald Trump and Supervisor Adam Hill. Reality has landed. Both have been elected and both have been seated. While some struggle with the reality of Trump, I’ve been struggling with…
Ras Danny and the Reggae All Stars pay tribute to Bob Marley at Frog and Peach
Trench Town, a neighborhood in St. Andrew Parish near Kingston, Jamaica, is the epicenter of ska, reggae, and rock steady music, and its most famous resident—Bob Marley—became the first international superstar of the genre, bringing reggae to every corner of the world. Though he passed nearly 36 years ago, Marley is still the measure upon…
Eat your heart out: No-fuss Valentine munchies with Chef Spencer Johnston
For anyone who’s tried to cook the perfect romantic Valentine’s Day dinner—and dealt with the stress and anxiety that inevitably follows—Danior Kitchen Catering owner/chef Spencer Johnston has a word of advice. Just stop it. Slowly put down the oysters (you’re shucking them wrong anyway) and forget that perfectly caramelized crème brulee recipe. Remember: Trying too…
Don’t step on those blue suede shoes: Blues dance workshop one weekend only
Improve on those awkward two left feet and twirl away at the Drop Dead Blues dance workshop at Cal Poly from Feb. 24 to 26. The weekend includes two nights of dancing and two days of lessons taught by the dynamic duo of Rachel Stirling and Tim O’Neill. Tickets range from $50 to $65. Visit…
A dog’s best side: Morro Bay photographer captures personalities of furry friends
Most photographers don’t arrive at a photo shoot armed with poop bags, but for Jillian Parks, it’s a must-have. A strategically hidden squeaky toy captures her clients’ attention because they don’t typically go for the whole “say cheese!” gimmick. And while they don’t say much in words, the Morro Bay photographer looks for cues like…
Bingeable: A Series of Unfortunate Events
When? 2017 | Where’s it available? Streaming on Netflix. If you’re looking for a series about three siblings overcoming adversity, resulting in a happy ending, then Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is not for you. I suggest you watch something else instead, maybe Fuller House? But if you like to watch a show…
Fly away: Western Monarch Day at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove is Feb. 4
Celebrate all things butterfly at Western Monarch Day at the Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event includes butterfly talks and educational booths for adults, as well as art activities for children. But the main attraction is the thousands of monarchs hanging in huge clusters…
Setting the mood: Bang the Drum hosts funky R&B Valentine’s event Feb. 11
Slow things down this Valentine’s Day, whether you’re looking to celebrate platonic or romantic love, and head to Bang the Drum Brewery for a night of soul music and maybe some R&B funk at the Love is in the Air event on Feb. 11 starting at 8 p.m. Show up in your best soulful outfit…
Doggone: Will dogs be banned from Port San Luis beaches?
It’s 8 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, and high tides have reduced Olde Port Beach to a thin ribbon of sand. Heavy surf has churned up thick, rubbery kelp and seaweed, and there’s quite a bit of trash littering the shoreline—a heavy rubber glove, a few empty beer bottles, a to-go container, various plastic bits,…
The art of craft: Ralph Bacerra pottery comes to SLOMA
Each day Jo Lauria walked into ceramics class, the giant clay teapot-in-progress was taller than before, but nary a speck showed on professor Ralph Bacerra’s apron as he helped a student craft the 6-foot-tall pottery piece—he was that good. “That, to me, was pure Ralph,” said Lauria, who studied under Bacerra years ago at the…
A Super Bowl
Dip it good: Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 5) is just around the corner, which means it’s a good time to figure out where to watch the big game! Here’s two downtown SLO spots that will fill with chanting, cheering, and jeering: Woodstock’s Pizza opens at 10 a.m. and will be serving hot and sizzling pizza,…
San Antonio Centennial Blend and Granada Inn and Bistro’s Break the Glass Ceiling Cocktail
Ever wonder what people drank a century ago? Well, it’s been 100 years since the Riboli family founded San Antonio Winery, and to commemorate this epic milestone, the Riboli family has released a very special 2014 Centennial Blend worthy of the history books. Made up of 36 percent cabernet sauvignon, 28 percent malbec, 21 percent…
Bruce: Protect the livelihoods of your constituents
I am a proud, second-generation fisherman in Avila Beach. I was very disappointed to hear that my very own representative on the SLO County Board of Supervisors, Bruce Gibson, believes that the way I make my living is insignificant. His fervent support of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary clearly shows his complete lack of…
Hill’s commentary mimics the left’s whining
“The gloves are off” commentary (Jan. 26) by Adam Hill is typical of the far left crying because someone else is holding the ball. After many years of having the board majority, Mr. Hill is now in the minority. He is like the 9-year-old, picked last, who can’t play fair or pass the ball or…
No mistake
For those of you who, like me, are in awe and shock at the new administration I offer some small bit of consolation: There are no mistakes. I do not understand why the universe chose our new president as the leader of the free world. I have ideas about how things might work out for…
Hill’s rant wasn’t surprising
I am not shocked by Adam Hill’s remarks in his recent commentary (“The gloves are off,” Jan. 26), about COLAB (Coalition of Labor, Agriculture, and Business) and the new majority on the SLO County Board of Supervisors. Hill is no longer in the super majority after having it for several years: Hill, Bruce Gibson, and…
Radicalism on the Central Coast
It appears that political ideology has been creeping into Central Coast politics in the form of Tea Party radicalism. Determined to hold on to power, newly elected Republican Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham has promised a “battle royale” in order to “make sure we keep our advantage” (“Building unity,” Jan. 19). This divisive rhetoric so typical of…
Clubs 2/2/17 – 2/9/17
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 7:30-10pm. 1462 E. Grand Ave., Arroyo Grande, 474-8525, figmtnbrew.com. 2/3: Kenny Taylor Band from 8:30-11pm; 2/4: Guitar Circus from 8:30-11pm. HARRY’S NIGHT CLUB AND BEACH BAR: Cypress and Pomeroy, downtown Pismo Beach, 773-1010.…
