Early Central Coast lavender proprietor continues sharing the flower’s many uses
Bees and lavender are a natural combination. When the weather was warm, the fields of lavender at Lila Avery-Fuson’s family farm hummed. “Basically, the bees own the lavender. We just get to borrow it when it’s cool,” she said. Recipes galoreTo buy Central Coast Lavender products online and learn more about The Lavender Academy, visit…
Braver Angels aims to connect people across political spectrum
Growing up in San Luis Obispo, Kate Christensen noticed a large political divide within the county and a lack of discussion across the spectrum. After joining Braver Angels in 2019, Christensen became determined to unite people in hopes of finding a middle ground on difficult and controversial topics. “It’s about people engaging in a…
Comedian Ali Siddiq brings his riotously funny stories to Fremont Theater
Have you caught Ali Siddiq’s act? The independent comedian’s YouTube channel gets a crazy number of views. Millions have streamed his 2025 standup special, My Two Sons, which is funny as hell. He lays out the differences between his oldest son, Trey, and his youngest, Hassan, and he spares them no mercy. During a recent…
Dracula is mostly straightforward take on Bram Stoker’s Gothic vampire tale
French writer-director Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Professional, The Fifth Element, Lucy) reimagines Bram Stoker’s classic vampire story about 15th century prince Vladimir of Wallachia (Caleb Landry Jones) who after the death of his wife, Elisabeta (Zoë Bleu), renounces God and is cursed with vampirism. Determined to find the reincarnation of Elisabeta, he searches…
Queen of Chess documents prodigy Judit Polgár as she becomes a grandmaster
Hungarian chess prodigy Judit Polgár was raised to be a champion, and that’s exactly what she became. Alongside her sisters and under the controlling hand of her father, the Polgár family forwent formal education, instead focusing on a singular task—mastering chess. Judit especially had a knack for the game, and through interviews with Judit, her…
Steal is super bingeable British crime thriller about a $5.5 heist
STEALWhat’s it rated? RWhen? 2026Where’s it showing? Prime Sotiris Nikias (Café 404) created this British crime thriller about an armed heist of a pension management company. A group of highly trained criminals takes control of the office and its workers, using phone jammers to prevent outside communication. The robbers force office workers Luke (Archie Madekwe)…
Right in the Eye features live music accompanying Georges Méliès’ silent films at the Clark Center on Feb. 22
French composer and musician Jean-François Alcoléa created Right in the Eye way back in 2013, yet the multimedia experience that mixes live music played to the films of Georges Méliès has endured, gaining traction at festivals like the Edinburgh Fringe, and continuing to tour the world many times, resulting in hundreds of performances. Now, it’s…
World Ballet Company presents Swan Lake at the PAC in SLO on Feb. 15
It’s hard to believe now, but when the Bolshoi Ballet premiered Swan Lake on March 4, 1877, it was a critical failure. Today, the ballet and its score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky are considered one of the most popular ballets of all time. You can see it yourself performed by LA’s famed World Ballet Company…
See Michelle Solorzano’s ceramics at Studios on the Park
On her website, figurative ceramicist Michelle Solorzano explains, “My work is a personal exploration of my cultural identity, influenced by the complex interplay of colonization, immigration, and assimilation. The Dominican Carnival, with its deep historical roots, serves as a focal point in this exploration, highlighting the lasting impact of colonization on contemporary society.” In February,…
After a tour of Diablo Canyon, I still can’t wait for it to close
I was invited a few weeks ago to do a tour of Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Despite my unease with nuclear power, I decided to go—with an open mind. My negative thoughts about nuclear power were formed in the early days, around 1977, when I read a book called Energy Futures by Amory Lovins. Mr.…
A question about recent student protests
Watching young students, particularly kindergarteners and first graders, participate in the recent community protests has led me to ponder the balance between activism and safeguarding their foundational learning. Free education is a privilege many children worldwide don’t have. I’m curious about the extent to which children so young can genuinely comprehend the complex issues like…
Sharing the Dunes is caring
The use of the Oceano Dunes offroad vehicular area has remained a lively topic of discussion locally. New Times’ Jan. 8 opinion section contained a couple of pieces opposing the use of the area by off-road vehicles, and the topic pops up frequently in often heated debate (“Oceano deserves a vehicle-free beach,” and “Restore Oceano’s…
Glug-glug
Drive to work drunk, resign, and receive a $40,000 payout? Sounds like a party! Woohoo! Pass that box of chardonnay! Former Paso Robles High School Principal Megan Fletcher was arrested for a suspected DUI last Nov. 10, and—pop quiz!—is it still “suspected”? Give yourself a gold star if you answered “no.” The cops believe it’s…
SLO County Clerk-Recorder candidates talk campaign finance, election policies, and immigration enforcement
With less than six months before the primary election, San Luis Obispo County clerk-recorder candidates are committed to increasing campaign donations, transparency in elections, and boosting voter safety. Incumbent County Clerk-Recorder Elaina Cano, who announced her reelection campaign on Jan. 29, told New Times she raised $3,300 in contributions since January and is actively fundraising.…
Central Coast residents are getting hooked on IV treatments to boost immunity and wellness
Needle-phobia, stark and sterile rooms, and medical staff dashing from one patient to the next are nonexistent when you sink into a cushy armchair at MedSpa SLO. The “longevity lounge” is a one-stop shop where locals can receive an intravenous (IV) cocktail of fluids that can boost energy and beauty and even fight the flu.…
Former Paso Robles High School principal charged with DUI
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office filed two misdemeanor charges against a former school principal, who was arrested on campus in November on suspicion of driving under the influence. According to court documents filed Feb. 5, Paso Robles High School Principal Megan Fletcher is charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and…
Furry friends get massaged relaxed and rebalanced at this unique clinic
At a new veterinary clinic, healing might look a little different than expected. It could be a dog leaning into a massage, a cat curled contently inside a humming electromagnetic loop, or a senior pup slowly finding its stride again after an acupuncture session. Small steps, big healingQuantum Qi is planning to open its doors…
Grover Beach citizens group starts ballot process to reduce building height
Though locals are gearing up to vote in June’s primary, a group of frustrated Grover Beach residents is looking ahead to November to make changes in the beach city. At the Feb. 10 Grover Beach City Council meeting, resident Mike Wilson delivered a notice of intent to circulate a petition to adopt an ordinance limiting…
Celebrate Life 5K co-founder and cancer survivor retraces steps from near-terminal diagnosis to remission
No amount of medals or trophies could stack up against 12-time international triathlon winner Siri Lindley’s greatest victory: overcoming acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The average five-year survival rate for those diagnosed with AML is 29 percent, according to WebMD. The odds doctors gave Lindley after her diagnosis six years ago were much less, she said.…
County launches voluntary land fallowing program to protect Paso Robles Groundwater Basin
The San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors recently approved a new voluntary program aimed at reducing groundwater use in the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, giving local farmers a tool to help balance the region’s water supply. “Recent challenges in the ag economy, especially in the wine industry, have many grape growers interested in reducing…
