Cover Story
Aged and addicted: Senior drug and alcohol abuse on the Central Coast
County drug and alcohol services contacts SLO County Drug and Alcohol Services Phone number: 1-800-838-1381 Website: slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Health-Agency/Behavioral-Health/Drug-Alcohol-Services.aspx Santa Barbara County Alcohol and Drug Program Phone Number: 1-888-868-1649 Website: countyofsb.org/behavioral-wellness/aodservices.sbc At around 10:30 a.m. in a small room at the SLO County Veterans Memorial Building, Colin Quennell was telling a story. The story was a personal…
International Manhattan of mystery
“Of all the gin joints in all the towns in all the world, you’ll have to walk into at least one of these.” This is how a recent article at venuereport.com starts off its list of best speakeasies. On that list, 46 haunts from around the world are featured, including hot spots in the Philippines,…
Same, same
I’ve got to start going to the gym this year. The number of papers I’m shredding daily seems to keep getting higher, and I’m so busy I hardly got moved at all in 2018. My gullet is so full of fibers that it’s starting to push the metal out. If I’m not careful, New Times…
San Luis Coastal is concerned about teen vaping
The number of students who are vaping is increasing in the San Luis Coastal Unified School District, according to the results from two student surveys. “Today, we are seeing something far different and much more troubling than anything I’ve seen before: the clever introduction of vaping into the mainstream culture among students,” district Superintendent Eric…
Sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their reactions to a Dec. 27 opinion piece, “A special holiday greeting: Dems are determined to persecute Donald Trump at any cost.”
Former inmate sues SLO jail over partially severed finger
A 64-year-old Pismo Beach woman is suing the SLO County Sheriff’s Office, claiming she suffered a gruesome injury that caused her to lose part of one of her fingers while in custody. Lisa Forman was in custody at the jail when an unknown officer allegedly slammed a cell door shut on her hand, causing the…
More than comedy: Creed Bratton (from The Office) brings his talent to The Fremont
Who has a “distinct, old man smell” and had a New Year’s resolution to do a beautiful, perfect cartwheel? The quality assurance director at the Scranton branch of the Dunder Mifflin Paper Company, Creed Bratton, a weird, creepy dude who spent time peering at fellow employees from his desk in the back corner of the…
Women’s March SLO gears up for its annual demonstration
Women’s March SLO’s third march slated for Jan. 19 is supposed to be a reflection on 2018. Local Women’s March organizers chose Truth to Power as the theme for this year’s march. Andrea Chmelik, communication director for the local chapter, said the concept comes from the understanding that there is nothing more important than knowing…
‘Aquaman’ anchors you in your seat for two hours of underwater adventure
AQUAMAN What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Karen? Full price What’s it worth, Caleb? Full price Where’s it showing? Sunset Drive-In, Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 James Wan (Saw, Insidious, The Conjuring) directs this latest entry in the DC Extended Universe. The story centers on land dweller Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), aka Aquaman,…
Man who threatened SLO Women’s March faces probation violation
Less than 10 days after he was sentenced to probation for making criminal threats against members of Women’s March SLO on Facebook, 46-year-old Daniel Joshua Phares once again found himself behind bars. Phares was arrested for violating the terms of his probation on Dec. 20. The SLO County District Attorney’s Office filed a felony charge…
Guilty Pleasures: Pitch Perfect 3
When? 2017 What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it available? Amazon Prime, YouTube, Redbox I’m going to be completely honest: I didn’t even know Pitch Perfect 3 was a thing. My wife and I saw the original Pitch Perfect (2012) on DVD, which won us over with its comedy-first approach to collegiate a capella through the…
SLO photographer captures different takes on the same places
On display Light From A Dark Room, featuring photos by Marta Peluso, will be on display at the SLO Museum of Art through Jan. 27. There will be an artist talk with Peluso on Jan. 13 at 2 p.m. that’s free and open to the public. Visit sloma.org for more information. San Luis Obispo photographer…
South County residents petition closing El Campo intersection
The San Luis Obispo County of Governments’ (SLOCOG) decision to study the potential closure of the El Campo Road intersection on Highway 101 has many South County residents concerned. The study was initiated at a Dec. 5, 2018, SLOCOG meeting after the death of Cal Poly freshman Jordan Grant in October 2018. Grant was struck…
Film Listings, 1/3/19 – 1/10/19
AQUAMAN What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full price Where’s it showing? Sunset Drive-In, Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 See Split Screen. BUMBLEBEE What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 Pick Director Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two Strings) helms this Transformers prequel…
In the details: Central Coast printmakers create repeating patterns on banners
On view Banners: Prints & Patterns exhibit will be on display at the SLO Museum of Art through Jan. 27 and is put on by the Central Coast Printmakers Group. An opening reception will be held Jan. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. in conjunction with Art After Dark. Visit sloma.org for more information. Patterns.…
County libraries to offer fine amnesty
Kept that book you checked out little too long? SLO County libraries will give you a chance to clear your conscience and save some cash this month. The county announced that it would be offering amnesty on library fines for overdue books for the month of January. Beginning Jan. 1, all of the county’s libraries…
Lily Tomlin matinee show added at PAC
With tickets to An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin on Friday, Jan. 18, sold out, Cal Poly Arts has announced an additional opportunity for the community to see Tomlin perform. An Afternoon of Classic Lily Tomlin takes place on Saturday, Jan. 19, at 3 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center in SLO. Tomlin, best known…
Sending a signal: Locals register concerns about fracking public lands
Morro Rock. The Santa Lucia Mountains. Irish Hills Natural Reserve. Vandenberg Air Force Base. Tepusquet Canyon. What ties this short list of Central Coast places together? They all have public lands that are within the control of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and are included the BLM’s 2014 Central California resource management plan,…
SLO Rep kicks off 2019 with ‘Pride and Prejudice’
SLO Rep opens its first production of 2019, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen’s satire of rural romance in 19th century England, on Jan. 11. The show runs Thursday through Saturday at 7 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m., through Jan. 20. The cast includes young student actors from SLO Rep’s Academy of Creative…
Equity plans: San Luis Coastal works to ensure all students have the same opportunity for success
Rick Mayfield has been working in schools for about 33 years. He said for 12 of those years, he had the unique position of being a principal for Pacheco Elementary School, which has a dual emersion program for kindergarten through sixth grade. The school offers a program that merges English and Spanish together in all…
SLOQueerdos holds drag fundraiser to benefit SLO Women’s March
Gaga Again: A Drag Fundraiser for the SLO Women’s March takes place Friday, Jan. 18, from 9 to 11 p.m. at 7Sisters Brewing Company in SLO. This event includes various Lady Gaga-inspired segments from SLOQueerdos’ drag performers. Proceeds will benefit the SLO Women’s March. All ages are welcome at the event. Food and drinks will…
More tech changes: Mindbody plans return to private ownership
The fast-growing, high-earning Central Coast tech firm Mindbody made a billion-dollar announcement just in time for Christmas. On Dec. 24, the SLO-based company announced an acquisition agreement with the San Francisco-based investment firm Vista Equity Partners, which plans to buy all of Mindbody’s outstanding shares for $1.9 billion. The move will return Mindbody, which first…
Flagship: Ringing in the new year at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Anyone living south of Valencia should heed this piece of The Californians’ advice at least once in their life: “Go up the 5, go to Magic Mountain, get on Riddler’s Revenge, and never get off!” Really, it’s down the 101 to the 126 for those of us residing in the north. Although I’m much more…
No free passes from the rule of law
I taught philosophy of law at Cal Poly for 30 years. One of the important themes of the course was the rule of law. The rule refers to a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions, and entities, public and private, including members of Congress, the judiciary, and the president, are accountable to laws…
Owners of Poke Chef open Menka, a steamy ramen operation
This broth works overtime Menka Ramen is located at 799 Foothill Blvd. in San Luis Obispo and open from 5 to 10 p.m. daily. For more information, call (805) 332-7014. Eagerly slurping down a rich, flavorful 16-hour broth in less than 10 minutes flat may seem tacky to some, but not to Chef Will and…
This isn’t Trump-derangement syndrome
On behalf of liberals everywhere, let me confirm that yes, we are indeed hell-bent on bringing down Donald Trump and, if possible, his family and business. In this, we are in total agreement. But, like so many others who decry the so-called “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” Gary Wechter’s opinion column fails to ask “Why?” (“A special…
Fresh idea
Here’s a culinary resolution: Try some new restaurants! All this month, participating SLO County restaurants will offer special prix-fixe menus of three courses at $30 to $40 per person as well as other special offerings (yes, you will get sick of me rambling on about this deal all month long) … Wine Speak, which brings…
The removal of Oceano beach
Two million visitors a year drive on Oceano beach for a day trip or on their way to Sand City, 1,000 unmarked campsites for $10 a night, and the Sand Highway, the off-roading playground on the Oceano Dunes State Vehicle Recreational Area. Driving back, they carry tons of sand on their tires. Most of it…
Big heart, big hunger
Where’s the beef? Andrew Prater of SLO is a new junior member of the American Angus Association (aka, the largest beef breed association in the world, with more than 25,000 active adult and junior members). Junior members are eligible to register cattle in the American Angus Association, participate in programs, and take part in association-sponsored…
A wall is not the answer
A few months ago there was a large demonstration against Immigration and Customs Enforcement beginning in SLO and ending at the new ICE facility in Santa Maria, which only processes convicted criminal illegal aliens for deportation upon their release from the Lompoc Federal Penitentiary, state prisons like the SLO Men’s Colony, and county jails. This…
Chew on this
Rockstar chowder: Not only do Fresno residents love the Central Coast, they love the coastal cuisine! In fact, Splash Cafe’s clam chowder (beloved at its Pismo Beach and SLO locations) has become a fave in Fresno, where restaurants already serve it. Now, Splash Cafe is taking the love affair one step further, as Visalia restaurant…
Did you vote for this?
Another new year is upon us, and at the local, state, and federal levels American communities are under siege from a relentless administrative state, escalating costs for essential services, and demands for an even heavier tax burden upon citizens, small businesses, and corporations alike. The Democrat controlled state Legislature has already floated proposals to tax…
