Cover Story
A changing habitat
Up until 2007, abundant eelgrass growing just off the coast of Morro Bay blanketed the sea floor on the western edge of the estuary and stretched south from the Morro Bay State Park marina to the back bay. Those underwater meadows played an important role in the estuary’s ecosystem, securing sediments with their root systems…
NEW FLICKS: Space Jam: A New Legacy
What’s it rated? PG When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10, HBO Max Malcolm D. Lee directs this mix of live action and animation about a rogue artificial intelligence (Don Cheadle) that kidnaps LeBron James’ son, forcing the famed basketball player to team up with Bugs Bunny to win a basketball…
Junior roller derby experiences harassment at Santa Rosa Park
The SLOCO Junior Derby Devils experienced constant harassment over the last several weeks in the Ken Hampian Roller Rink, effectively closing the rink at Santa Rosa Park for drop-in use until Aug. 9. Devin Hyfield, recreational manager for SLO’s Parks and Recreation Department, said that the recent incidents became a safety concern and such behavior…
NEW FLICKS: The Paper Tigers
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2020 Where’s it showing? Redbox In his feature-length debut, writer-director Quoc Bao Tran helms this action comedy about three former kung fu prodigies—Danny (Alain Uy), Hing (Ron Yuan), and Jim (Mykel Shannon Jenkins)—who’ve grown into middle-aged nobodies with dead-end jobs and dad duties. When their old master, Sifu (Roger Yuan),…
Kevin the peacock becomes beloved Nipomo mascot
Before he had a name, he was just a peacock on the loose. Some concerned neighbors thought he might belong to someone. A post would pop up every few months in the Nipomo Neighbors Facebook group: “Did someone lose a peacock?” Now, he’s known as Kevin: by neighbors, by local kids, and even by the…
SLO County wins $18.2 million state grant to complete Bob Jones Trail—but more challenges are ahead
After winning an $18.2 million transportation grant, San Luis Obispo County and open space advocates are now closer than ever to achieving a dream of completing the Bob Jones Trail—but one county supervisor’s “no” vote at a July 13 meeting foreshadows the challenges still ahead to get the trail to the finish line. Since the…
Crop report shows farmers held out through hardships of 2020
San Luis Obispo County’s 2020 crop report is out, and despite all the challenges that year could muster, the data shows that the county’s agricultural industry largely stood strong. At a Board of Supervisors meeting on July 20, Agricultural Commissioner Martin Settevendemie said the overall value of the county’s crops barely budged between 2019 and…
Paso Unified keeps current elementary and middle school grades as is
Paso Robles Joint Unified School District discussed the results of its grade-span configuration committee recommendations that could change the grade levels in elementary and middle schools. The resounding preference to keep the grade span as is, staff said, is a sign of wanting stability after the challenges of the pandemic. Grade span configuration refers to…
Time to look beyond self-interests
The conservative majority on the Board of Supervisors is poorly serving our county. Their failure to defend and support Tommy Gong and his staff despite their superlative work in our elections implicitly promotes the lie of election fraud in our county and threatens the stability and functioning of that office. This will be remembered in…
Let’s pass voting rights protection
In 2021, we have seen far too many attacks on our right to vote. I’m sure many of us heard about the law in Georgia that made it illegal to give voters water while they’re waiting in line to vote. Well, for every voter suppression law we did hear about, there are 20 more we…
Diablo Canyon and desalination
We in California face a historically deep drought advancing on our state, in addition to the global warming increase that takes our Western U.S. water more every day. Yet, what are politicians fretting about? The plight of our Golden State? Not so much. The governor worries about the recall and where donations will come from…
Not financially conservative
The SLO County Board of Supervisors is not fulfilling its fiduciary responsibilities. The recent Tribune editorial (June 15, 2021: “True to form, SLO County’s conservative supervisors make the wrong choice—again”) is a blatant illustration of the conservative majority’s unwillingness to listen to their constituents, failure to follow their stated mission, and inability to fulfill their…
Questions that need answers
I keep hearing Democrats saying the Republicans are trying to strip the people’s right to vote away but never hear the specific items they are doing to accomplish this. So, Quinn Brady, could you tell the people exactly what they are doing that you feel is stripping people’s voting rights (“Not everyone is free,” July…
Inside/Outside showcases diverse range of oil and pastel pieces by Central Coast artists Renée Kelleher and Jim TylerCorrection
Gallery gatherings Inside/Outside runs through Saturday, July 31, at Gallery Los Olivos, located at 2920 Grand Ave., Los Olivos. Visit gallerylosolivos.com for more details on this duo exhibit. Jim Tyler will be hosting a live pastel demonstration on Sunday, July 25, at Park Street Gallery, between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Park Street Gallery is…
Morro Bay Power Plant stacks
Demolishing the old Morro Bay Power Plant is part of a proposal to the convert the facility from electrical power generation to electrical power storage. Most of us can’t believe how lucky we are to have the old eyesore of the plant removed for us. The trouble is that some locals are saying that they…
Judd Manor in San Miguel hosts The Grapes of Laughs, featuring comedians Andrea Abbate, Jill Turnbow, and Sarah Burrows
Three prolific comedians will perform during The Grapes of Laughs, an upcoming stand-up comedy show at Judd Manor in San Miguel. This open-air event takes place on Saturday, July 31, at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door (seating will be limited to 100 attendees). Only ages 16 and older…
All about the money
The county of San Luis Obispo is only interested in procuring property taxes so it approves whatever it can get away with, in my opinion. Our Cambria Community Services District (CCSD) directors no longer play by the rules set out to protect the environment but are playing to the tune of someone else. I just…
French Hospital in SLO celebrates 75 years of providing health services
French Hospital Medical Center has a rich history of providing medical services with compassion to the San Luis Obispo County community—and this month marks the hospital’s 75th anniversary. According to Sara San Juan, spokesperson for Dignity Health Central Coast, Edison French, MD, founded French after serving in the Navy Medical Corps. When he returned to…
Exxon approaching
Between an explosive sting video starring a senior lobbyist and a shareholders meeting that saw three seats on their board going to climate activists, ExxonMobil’s been having a rough year. It couldn’t happen to a nicer oil company. But it hasn’t slowed their roll on the Central Coast. It’s been almost a year since I…
Entry period begins for 2021 New Times Music Awards
Local singers, songwriters, musicians, and bands are encouraged to enter this year’s New Times Music Awards competition. The entry period for the contest begins on Thursday, July 29, and entries will be accepted through Monday, Aug. 16 (deadline is 5 p.m.). Visit newtimesslo.com for more details. Following the competition, this year’s New Times Music Awards…
Stingy, snotty, stupid
“Hello! How would you like 18.2 million free dollars to complete a really important public works project that’s been under construction for about 30 years?” “Wow, 18 million, eh? Might it require county government to employ eminent domain to compel a curmudgeonly property owner to—at fair market value—sell a small sliver of his land?” “Yes,…
By the Sea Productions presents upcoming one-woman show, Shirley Valentine
Shirley Valentine, an upcoming one-woman show starring Morro Bay local Sharyn Young, will mark By the Sea Productions’ first in-person play in more than a year and is scheduled to run for one weekend only, Friday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 15. Tickets for Shirley Valentine, written by Willy Russell and directed by Sandy Bosworth,…
The Mid-State Fair hosts country stars Dwight Yoakum and Big & Rich this weekend
What’s better than a cold beer on a warm Paso night listening to country music in the Chumash Grandstand Arena? Not much! The California Mid-State Fair is back this year, and Dwight Yoakam plays the 2021 Bug Light Seltzer Concert Series this Thursday, July 22 (7:30 p.m.; all ages; $50.50 to $72.50 at midstatefair.com). Yoakam’s…
Scoop the Magic wows customers with its plant-based frozen dessert
Before it melts Visit scoopthemagic.com for product information and vendor locations. For updates on its grand opening in downtown Paso Robles, follow the company on Instagram and Facebook @scoopthemagic. Everyone has a favorite flavor of Scoop the Magic. Matt Martinez, co-owner of Ziggy’s vegan restaurant in San Luis Obispo, prefers mint chip and Mexican chocolate.…
SLO County redistricting hearing focuses on SLO, Cal Poly, Oceano, and citizen oversight
San Luis Obispo County held its first public redistricting hearing on July 20—with residents criticizing the Board of Supervisors for retaining authority over its next electoral map, while focusing input on the communities of SLO, Cal Poly, and Oceano. “There really should be a citizens redistricting task force,” said Michael Latner, a Cal Poly political…
Roadrunner: A film about Anthony Bourdain
What’s it rated? R When? 2021 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Morgan Neville (Won’t You Be My Neighbor, 20 Feet From Stardom) directs this documentary about revered chef, writer, and TV host Anthony Bourdain, known for authentic approach to food, culture, and…
Pismo Beach City Council member sues Atascadero over rejected project proposal
A Pismo Beach City Council member is suing the city of Atascadero and two of its council members over their rejection of a proposed self-storage project through means that he claims violated city code. On June 25, Scott Newton filed a civil lawsuit in SLO County Superior Court alleging that the city of Atascadero and…
