Cover Story
Bringing inside outside
Editor’s note: The names marked with * in this story have been changed to protect privacy. SLO County living is a mixed bag. We have pretty amazing year-round weather, but housing is enormously expensive. So what do you do when your house is small, your budget is modest, and you need more living space? Take…
Paso Market Place proposed for downtown unsettles neighbors, awaits City Council approval
A former owner of Justin Vineyards and Winery is hoping to bring a new “sophisticated marketplace” to downtown Paso Robles: The Paso Market Place, a 16,597 square-foot, mixed-use project proposed at 1803 Spring St. However, some neighboring residents and at least one City Council member aren’t quite sold. Applicant Deborah Long is asking to develop…
Meet your veggie butcher
Eat your veg! The Vegetable Butcher is located at 712 Marsh St. and open for lunch and dinner Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. A brunch menu and outdoor take-away window is forthcoming, so keep an eye out. For more information, call (480) 559-3557, follow @vegetablebutcher on Instagram, or like the business…
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Sunset Drive In, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy New Luc Besson (La Femme Nikita, The Fifth Element, Lucy) directs this comic book-based sci-fi adventure about special operatives Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) who must safeguard Alpha, a sprawling city that’s home to species from a…
Ban fracking on the Central Coast
Environmental activists have raised concern over fracking in SLO County. Currently, we are waiting to hear whether or not the Environmental Protection Agency will consider the application for aquifer exemptions in Price Canyon. County residents are fearful that the fracking will cause potential health impacts to residences in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties,…
Continuing a legacy
Musical numbers, the latest in fashion, and a live auction are just the highlights of the Phyllis’ Musical Revue & Fashion Show. It’s a charity event put together by Madonna Inn owner Phyllis Madonna, Cheri Humphrey (the inn’s retail manager), and countless others. For the past 30 years the proceeds have gone toward the Women’s…
Graze and sip
Beef shouldn’t be a four-letter word. However, the way it’s raised in the U.S. is often questionable for our health and the planet’s. On the Central Coast, ranchers are doing things a bit differently. Learn how these well-marbled meats make their way from calf to plate from these local cattlefolks themselves—many of whom make their…
War for the Planet of the Apes
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Fair Oaks, Park, Galaxy Pick Matt Reeves (The Pallbearer, Cloverfield, Let Me In) directs and co-writes with Mark Bomback (Live Free or Die Hard, The Wolverine) this third film in the rebooted series that is preceded by Rise of the…
Filthy-Five Fiction
My family and I were totally disgusted by Matt Foote’s 55 Fiction story (“Graciapapi,” July 6) peppered with f-bombs. It’s bad enough that people are forced to hear those obscenities at the movies. But to see it in black and white in what we thought was a family friendly newspaper was unnecessary and ugly. The…
Development, climate change, and trees
National Geographic reports that “if carbon emissions remain unchecked by the end of the century deadly heat waves will threaten up to 75 percent of the world’s population.” “Every day in summer, trees release about 29 tons of oxygen into the air per square mile of forest. A person breathes in 2 pounds of oxygen…
Wish Upon
What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it showing? Park Seventeen-year-old Clare Shannon (Joey King) is barely surviving the hell that is high school, along with her friends Meredith (Sydney Park) and June (Shannon Purser). So when her dad (Ryan Phillippe) gifts her an old music box with an inscription that promises to grant the owner’s wishes,…
Do unto others …
Kudos to Jim Conroy for his letter to the editor, “A new way to see the United States,” which appeared July 15 in the Tribune. I don’t particularly self-identify as a Christian, probably because of the way that term is sometimes used to exclude and slight other religious beliefs. However, I take Jesus’ message to…
Art through time
Rarely seen Hidden Gems: Selections from the Permanent Collections displays about every two years and is currently on view at the SLO Museum of Art through Aug. 27. Take a tour of the collection with curator Ruta Saliklis, Aug. 3 during Art at High Noon. Visit sloma.org for more information. Riddle me this: What’s always…
Epistemology, gays, God, and Muslims
The crux of your recent article about the LGBTQ controversy (“LGBTQ community faces a complicated relationship with faith,” June 29) is that literalist interpreters of the Bible like Michael Slack assert that God commands believers to kill gays, whereas non-literalists like reverends Jason Sisk-Provencio and Caroline Hall assert the opposite—that the Bible urges “inclusive love,”…
Wonder Woman
What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Stadium 10 PickPatty Jenkins (writer-director of Monster) directs this origin story of Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), who was raised as Diana, an Amazon princess trained as an unbeatable warrior on a remote island. When an American pilot named Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes…
Legal control of marijuana—a state issue
How are we going to control the legal distribution of marijuana in California? A big question. Right now it is totally out of control and on the streets everywhere. You buy what the guy on the corner or in the back alley gives out for his fee. You have no idea what is in it…
Digi Diva Graphics turns doodles into fabric prints
Crafty For more info on Heather Hight and Digi Diva Graphics, visit digidivagraphics.etsy.com. Some studies suggest that scribbling helps people pay attention and retain information, which could be used as a defense for students who doodle in the margins of their notebooks during class. Heather Hight, owner of Digi Diva Graphics, was always a student…
The Big Sick
THE BIG SICK What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? The Palm, Stadium 10, Galaxy Director Michael Showalter (Hello, My Name is Doris) directs this semi-autographical screenplay by Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani about a Pakistani stand-up comic named Kumail (Nanjiani) who…
Help kids in need make good summer memories
Summertime generally summons images of swimming, climbing trees, summer camp, road trips, and family reunions. What happens, though, if you’re a child in foster care, living apart from your family, and unsure what the future holds? It’s difficult to enjoy the carefree days of summer when life might unexpectedly change at any moment and when…
United we plant
Grow forth Who knows? Maybe you are the next Guerrilla Gardening Club chapter president of your community? No oath, uniform, or bake sale sign-up required. Just come as you are. Information is available at mbggc.blogspot.com or by visiting the group on Facebook. We’ve all seen it. A browning, neglected strip of bushes languishing in the…
Bingeable: The Mick
When: 2017 What’s it rated? NR Where? Fox and streaming on Hulu and Amazon I was at a dive bar when someone, I can’t remember who, suggested I watch The Mick, a new Fox series about Mackenzie “Mickey” Murphy (Kaitlin Olson), a hard-living, foul-mouthed ne’er-do-well who suddenly finds herself the caregiver of her rich sister’s…
Salud Carbajal’s no vote on Kate’s Law
“Help me Dad.” These were Kate Steinle’s last words as she died in her father’s arms after being shot by an illegal alien who had been deported five times, had a record of seven felony convictions, but still found refuge in the sanctuary city of San Francisco. As a result of this travesty, Kate’s Law…
Succulents on point
Thinking about getting into gardening, but want to make sure you have plants that will survive well on the Central Coast, specifically? Growing Grounds has got you covered. “Anything grown here will thrive in SLO County, and about 80 percent of it will also thrive over the grade,” said Program Manager Craig Wilson. Growing Grounds…
Baby Driver
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Galaxy Pick Writer-director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) helms this action crime film about a young, gifted driver (Ansel Elgort) who’s coerced into driving for Doc (Kevin Spacey), a criminal mastermind,…
55 Fiction disappoints yet again
Once again, I am disappointed by the 55 Fiction short story competition (July 6). There were about three that were outstanding, but the rest did nothing for me. I actually submitted about 20 stories, a few that I felt were really good. I understand that stories, like any art, are subjective, but I wonder about…
SLO for 500, Alex
Tune into KSBY on July 20 at 7 p.m. and catch San Luis Obispo mechanical engineer and musician Doug Groshart competing on the hit TV show Jeopardy. With host Alex Trebek, America’s favorite quiz show is currently in its 33rd season of syndication. Visit jeopardy.com for more information.
The Beguiled
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? The Palm Pick Writer-director Sofia Coppola (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, Marie Antoinette) helms this Civil War-era story about a wounded Union soldier named Cpl. John McBurney (Colin Farrell), who’s taken in by head mistresses Miss Martha (Nicole Kidman) of a Virginia girls’…
Out for justice
Justice and the law should be total bros, always hanging together and protecting and treating people right, but sometimes they act like they don’t even know each other! Take, for example, the plight of Megan Souza and Eric Powers, co-owners of Megan’s Organic Market, a medical marijuana cultivation and mobile delivery service, who are about…
The face as a canvas
Learn how to expertly paint the landscape of the human face on July 25 at The Art of Makeup Workshop with Jenn Hix at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles. The event is from 10 a.m. to noon. Participants will bring their own makeup and tools and learn how best to use them to…
Despicable Me 3
What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy The mischievous Minions hope that Gru (Steve Carell) will return to a life of crime after the new boss of the Anti-Villain League fires him. Instead, Gru decides to remain retired and travel to Freedonia to meet his long-lost twin brother (also…
What’s your favorite DIY housing project you’ve done?
Heather Ashbaugh unemployed “I don’t own a home right now. I’ve been homeless for two years.” Prudy Lovtang retired teacher “We added two stories to the house, a patio, and a big wine barrel fountain.” Heidi Frago stay at home mom “Relandscaping the front yard for a vegetable garden.” Marjorie Clark retired banker “I’ve done…
Writing for the young
Dream of being the next J.K. Rowling or Judy Bloom while your mini readers clamor for the next great book? Then stop by the Writing for Young Readers event at Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay on July 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. Join Central Coast authors Barbara M. Hodges, Maggie Pucillo, Cathleen Thompson, Jenna…
Dunkirk
What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy New Writer-director Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins, The Prestige, The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises, Interstellar) helms this historical drama about the World War II battle of Dunkirk, when allied forces from Belgium, the British Empire, Canada, and France were surrounded…
County sues Megan’s Organic Market to shut down cannabis grow
The remote California Valley isn’t the only region under fire by San Luis Obispo County in its fight against marijuana grows deemed to be non-compliant with a recent county policy. After hitting five Cal Valley pot growers with lawsuits, the county is now suing Eric Powers—co-owner of Megan’s Organic Market, a local medical marijuana delivery…
The Big Apple
Everything feels backwards. I’m atop an 18-story building in New York City with a whiskey in my right hand, perplexedly watching the sun set over New Jersey, as the easterly Atlantic Ocean fades into darkness. It’s a remarkable sight, but one I’m having trouble getting my head around. As a coastal Californian, I’m so accustomed…
Girls Trip
What’s it rated? R Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy New When four lifelong friends (Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Tiffany Haddish) travel to New Orleans for the annual Essence Festival, sisterhoods are rekindled, wild sides are rediscovered, and there’s enough dancing, drinking, brawling, and romancing to make the…
Share it yourself
Walking down the driveway before her morning run, Angela Soll checks in on a little box that perches on a wooden stand. Made from extra bits from the roof and scraps from here and there, it’s a miniature replica of her home. One big door opens to a variety of books. Today’s selections include: Walk…
Former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay plays the Fremont Theater on July 23
Grab your Vegemite sandwich and get ready to head to a land down under when former Men at Work frontman Colin Hay plays the Fremont Theater this Sunday, July 23 (9 p.m.; all ages; $39.50 presale at ticketfly.com or $42 at the door). Men at Work is perhaps Australia’s biggest rock act, which in 1981—thanks…
The Hero
What’s it rated? R Where’s it showing? The Palm Lee Hayden (Sam Elliott) is an aging Western icon with a golden voice, but his best performances are decades behind him. He spends his days reliving old glories and smoking too much weed with his former-co-star-turned-dealer, Jeremy (Nick Offerman), until a surprise cancer diagnosis brings his…
Fight erupts over CalCoastNews name
As the embattled CalCoastNews seeks to appeal the $1.1 million libel verdict handed down by a jury in March, the local businessman defamed by one of its articles now owns the company’s LLC. Documents show that Charles Tenborg, the Arroyo Grande waste-management business owner who successfully sued CalCoastNews over a 2012 article about him, registered…
The House
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Rental Where’s it showing? Stadium 10 Written and directed by Andrew Jay Cohen along with co-writer Brendan O’Brien (both worked together on Neighbors, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates) comes the slapstick comedy The House, starring Amy Poehler and Will Ferrell. Is this the funniest movie these two…
County Dems elect chair from SLO Progressives
Hoping to put recent spats and divisions behind them, the SLO County Democratic Party Central Committee elected a new chairperson to try and steer the party to victory in upcoming elections. Voting members of the committee elected Rosemary Wrenn Canfield as its chairwoman at a July 17 meeting. Canfield, an educator and former teacher at…
What makes a skeptic?
I could add to the title “… and downright irritating to those on a mission to save the planet.” I respect some of my critics, in particular Andrew Christie. I know he’s sincere and has dedicated a good part of his life to protecting the environment and lives accordingly, even though I may disagree with…
Maudie
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? The Palm Pick Aisling Walsh (Joyriders, Song for Raggy Boy, The Daisy Chain) directs this screenplay by Sherry White (The Breadmaker, Down to the Dirt, Crackie) about arthritic Nova Scotia painter Maud Dowley (Sally Hawkins), who after having her family home sold out…
Water board shuts down Cambria’s brine pond
The Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) has been ordered to cease operating the brine pond connected to its controversial water facility and come up with a plan to get rid of the waste its holding by Aug. 14. The Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board made the decision to issue a cease and desist…
Did you hear?
Costume time: Tickets just dropped for the inaugural Halloween Harvest Costume Ball taking place at Tooth & Nail Winery castle in Paso Robles. This 21-and-older costume ball requires attendees to arrive in full costume regalia, and benefits will go to local nonprofit, must! charities (reserve your tickets by contacting brad@centralcoastlive.com).
Atascadero to get hotel near former Walmart site
It’s safe to say that not much has gone as planned for Atascadero at the “Del Rio Marketplace,” a vacant commercial site at the north end of the city at Del Rio Road and El Camino Real. For nearly a decade, the city planned around a Walmart store being the revenue-generating centerpiece of the shopping center. But…
Correction
• A July 13 article titled “The TCE enigma” incorrectly stated the status of the water board’s SCAP application. The scope of funding for the application was approved.
Change of scenery
Fresh meat: Villa Creek Restaurant in Paso Robles has hired farm-to-table chef Tim Veatch as executive chef after 19 years in the biz. Since the late ’90s, the eatery has continued to serve inventive dishes with a rustic-Californian, seasonal approach, which is great for Veatch’s resume (Farmshop in Marin, Camino in Oakland, and three-Michelin star…
Spider-Man: Homecoming
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Sunset Drive In, Bay, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy Pick This new Spider-Man film picks up a few months after the events of Captain America: Civil War, which chronicled the rift between Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.).…
