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Health and Wellness 2021: COVID-19 has impacted people physically and mentally, changing the way we eat, cope, and exercise
It’s nearly impossible to talk about public health right now without discussing COVID-19. So for our annual Health and Wellness issue, Staff Writer Kasey Bubnash speaks with a nutritionist about COVID-19 weight gain, diets, and the best way to lose weight and keep it off; Staff Writer Karen Garcia speaks with a SLO County residents…
Dignity Health is hosting a virtual discussion about the COVID-19 vaccine
In an effort to address concerns and myths about the COVID-19 vaccine, Dignity Health Central Coast is inviting the community to join a virtual discussion with health experts on Feb. 3 in English and Mixteco. From 6 to 8 p.m. via Zoom, the health care network’s local physicians will address common questions and myths about…
Ted Waterhouse re-releases his timely political song, ‘Woody’s Ghost’
As we’re ushering out our swing to the right with the departure of President Donald J. Trump and ushering in our swing to the left with President Joe Biden Jr., local tunesmith Ted Waterhouse (The Howlie Playboys, Catalina Eddy and the Blue Keys, The Hot & Cool Orchestra, The Tequila Mockingbirds, The Jump Jax) decided…
I am a patriot
When did the American flag become the exclusive symbol of the far right? Was it during the McCarthy era in the 1950s, when the words “under God” were added to the Pledge of Allegiance to distinguish “God-fearing Americans” from the “godless Commies” of the Soviet Union? Was it during the civil rights movement of the…
Dear Congressman Salud Carbajal
The American people, your constituents, are suffering. We have all sat back and watched as all of you have made a mockery of this great country. As a nation, we waited months for you and your colleagues to pass legislation that was supposed to help the America that all of you claim to love so…
Will America heal?
Jan. 6 was a traumatic day for America as thousands of post-election protesters turned into a riotous mob that stormed the Capitol, ostensibly to protest and halt the counting and acceptance of the votes of the Electoral College. The vote, conducted by Vice President Mike Pence was normally a pro-forma affair as the outcome was…
Transparency v. invisibility
For the record, I think SLO city Mayor Heidi Harmon is doing a pretty good job of running this town. The heart of her progressive politics is in the right place. Of course, she’s also been a very divisive figure. Not quite half the town is sick of her “I know what’s best for you”…
Renowned muralist Shrine decorates the Edna Valley Design Ranch
Rent the Design Ranch! This art-filled 5-acre property has a three-bedroom, two-bath house. Great for kids and adults, there’s a shadow box, a game room in the custom-painted garage, a detached office with Wi-Fi, a fire pit, and lots of outdoor space. The nightly rate starts at about $575, with a two-night minimum, and can…
SLOPE holds new virtual exhibition to benefit the Land Conservancy of SLO
The San Luis Outdoor Painters for the Environment (SLOPE) hosts a live, virtual opening reception for its latest virtual exhibition, SLOPE Paints the Serene Magic of Santa Rita Ranch, on Jan. 28, from 6 to 7 p.m. Participating artists in the exhibit will discuss their styles, techniques, and inspirations during the reception, which will be…
Morro Coast Audubon Society presents free Zoom program, Climate Smart Solutions for Grassland Birds
The Morro Coast Audubon Society hosts its next virtual program, Climate Smart Solutions for Grassland Birds, on Feb. 15, at 7 p.m. This free event is part of the group’s monthly Zoom series. Guest speaker Matt Allshouse will discuss the Audubon Society’s Conservation Ranching Program, which uses a market-based approach to connect conservation-conscious consumers to…
News of the World is a compelling new Western depicting America at a crossroads
NEWS OF THE WORLD What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? On demand Co-written and directed by Paul Greengrass (The Bourne Supremacy, Green Zone, Captain Phillips) and based on Paulette Jiles’ 2016 novel, the story follows Capt. Jefferson Kyle Kidd (Tom Hanks), a…
Dana Reserve project with 1,270 housing units proposed in Nipomo
Long-discussed plans to develop the 275-acre Cañada Ranch near Willow Road in Nipomo are inching closer to becoming reality. On Jan. 26, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted to begin formally processing the application for Dana Reserve—a major project proposing 1,270 units of single-family and multi-family housing, a commercial center, and 74…
Search Party
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2016-present Where’s it showing? HBO Max When former college classmate Chantal (Clare McNulty) goes missing, Dori Seif (Alia Shawkat) soon becomes obsessed and drags her boyfriend, Drew (John Reynolds), and best friends Portia (Meredith Hagner) and Elliot (John Early) into an increasingly ludicrous and dangerous situation as they try to…
Debate over Harbor Patrol use of force policies gets heated
Two Port San Luis Harbor District commissioners want to rethink the duties and powers afforded to Harbor Patrol officers, but without much support from the remaining commissioners or staff, the issue is becoming increasingly contentious. The policies and regulations Harbor Patrol officers adhere to are updated constantly as federal, state, and local laws change, and…
Restaurants deal with stay-at-home order restrictions
Restaurants throughout SLO County took to social media to rejoice after California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Jan. 25 he would be lifting the regional stay-at-home order that went into effect in early December 2020. On Jan. 26, Rooster Creek Tavern in Arroyo Grande posted on Instagram, “No more plastic cups! Tomorrow we are back…
Local Girl Scouts won’t be selling cookies in person this year, but you can find them online
Scouting for sweets? If you don’t already have a local Girl Scout Cookie source, you can order your favorite seasonal sweet treats from Kaelyn at app.abcsmartcookies.com. Each year around this time, Nipomo resident Riana Banks and her daughter, Kaelyn, gear up to sell as many Girl Scout Cookies as humanly possible. At just 7 years…
SLO County hopes private health care can ramp up COVID-19 vaccination campaign
Since COVID-19 vaccines arrived in December, the San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department has mobilized to open three local vaccine clinics, while developing a new website and online appointment system to get residents signed up for vaccinations. At press time, SLO County had received 22,660 total doses of vaccine from the state and administered…
Stadium 805 backs out of permit allowing concerts in 2021
There likely won’t be any concerts at the Santa Maria Raceway this year. At a meeting on Jan. 26, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors rescinded a temporary commercial outdoor entertainment license it awarded to the Santa Maria Raceway, aka Stadium 805, just a few months earlier. The permit would have allowed the…
The quarantine 15: Learn some practical tips from a pro about living a healthier pandemic lifestyle
Pandemic pounds, the quarantine 15, the COVID 19. You know what I’m talking about. The COVID-19 pandemic completely disrupted most of our lives and routines; led to spikes in stress, anxiety, and uncertainty; and left many of us with little else to do but sit around. With gyms closed and millions of jobs lost, it’s…
The Lie
What’s it rated? R When? 2018 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime Writer-director Veena Sud (The Salton Sea) helms this crime drama about a family torn apart by a tragedy. After Kayla (Joey King) kills her best friend, Britney (Devery Jacobs), her father, Jay (Peter Sarsgaard), and mother, Rebecca (Mireille Enos), now face the impossible situation…
New Times learns about the mental-health toll of having coronavirus
Hospice SLO County Executive Director Shannon McOuat has always dealt with allergies, so when she noticed her throat starting to feel scratchy, she didn’t think much of it. On Friday, Dec. 11, McOuat and another individual—McOuat declined to name that person for privacy reasons—were in the same room together in a building at a safe…
Bright energy: Albariño finds a home in the Edna Valley
Find some Visit Cadre, Croma Vera Wines, and Stephen Ross Wine Cellars online to learn more about their albariños and how to purchase them at cadrewines.com, cromavera.com, and stephenrosswine.com. Edna Valley might be the coolest AVA (American Viticultural Area) in California. Yeah, it’s a chill spot to find a winery, do a little tasting, and…
Fitness groups move their classes to city parks to keep businesses, communities healthy during pandemic
Like most gym owners at the start of COVID-19, Dave and Brittany Pomfret of Equilibrium Fitness for Women in San Luis Obispo closed up their brick-and-mortar studio in March and—by necessity—got into the business of digital workouts. They offered their classes live on Zoom. They made on-demand videos. They rented out their equipment to members…
