Cover Story
Pumping iron, rocks, and tires
Tickets to the gun show For the first time ever, the fair in Paso Robles will host the California Mid-State Fair Strongest Man and Woman Competition on July 30 starting at 1 p.m. at the headliner stage. Entrance to the competition is free with paid fair admission. For more information on the event visit midstatefair.com.…
San Luis Ranch and Avila Ranch trigger $118.7 million in new infrastructure
San Luis Obispo is at the precipice of one of its biggest growth surges in decades. On July 18, the SLO City Council approved the San Luis Ranch housing project, a 580-unit development on 131 acres between Madonna Road and Highway 101. Up next, on Aug. 9, the Planning Commission will make a final recommendation…
Double trouble housing bubble
Who wants to talk about how to fix SLO County’s low-income housing problem? I can hear certain right-wingers’ whispers already. People who can’t afford to live here should go somewhere else. But who’s going to serve you that spiffy glass of wine at your favorite tasting room? Yup, those people diligently working away in the…
Girls Trip
What’s it rated? R Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy 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 Big…
Morro Bay has chance at federal dollars to help fund its water facility
Although Morro Bay still hasn’t decided where to put its controversial water facility, the city is in the running for an $82 million federal loan to partially fund it. The city was one of 12 municipalities nationwide selected by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to apply for a Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act…
Picture-perfect Christmas
As the annual Holiday Parade in SLO draws closer, the hunt for the next Norman Rockwell of the Central Coast begins. Downtown SLO is seeking an artist or graphic artist with fine art skills to produce the artwork for the annual holiday poster for the parade’s theme of “Holiday Hoedown.” The poster is the most…
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, 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 Planet of…
SLO ‘unlawfully altered’ special election ballot, county DA says
Updated: 1:28 p.m., July 28Correction: The original article misstated the District Attorney’s assertions about the SLO City Council and Measure B-17. New Times misinterpreted the DA’s opinion to be about Measure B-17’s ballot title and summary. After reading through correspondence between the city and DA, the story was rewritten. In the interest of transparency, the original story is included…
What’s the heaviest thing you’ve lifted?
Grace Neff chemistry teacher “A bunch of books for moving.” Creed Bruce capital projects coordinator “My lost aspirations.” Nicole Porter student “A large piece of furniture.” Mike Vieira Parks and Recreation “Probably a fold-out couch.”
Atomic Blonde
What’s it rated? R Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Fair Oaks, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy New A high-stakes, global action-thriller that takes place in the city of Berlin, on the eve of the Wall’s collapse and the shifting of superpower alliances. Charlize Theron portrays Lorraine Broughton, a top-level spy for MI-6, who is dispatched to…
Grover and Paso discuss polystyrene foam ban
Two cities at opposite ends of SLO County are taking two different paths when it comes to banning expanded polystyrene food containers in their respective municipalities. In South County, the Grover Beach City Council approved plans to move forward with the development of an ordinance that would ban the use of the plastic foam, commonly…
Art for the heart
Explore healing through painting at Strokes for Stroke at Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center. The event is Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Strokes for Stroke is a program of the American Heart and the American Stroke Association, and encourages stroke survivors to participate in stroke rehabilitation through art. This creative class, led…
The Big Sick
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? The Palm, Stadium 10 Pick 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 falls for a white woman who heckles him during a…
Homebuilders Association to oppose county’s affordable housing policy
The Homebuilders Association of the Central Coast (HBACC) will advocate for a repeal of SLO County’s affordable housing policy—called inclusionary housing—and call for more “broad-based” funding sources to support affordable housing, a move that’s drawn criticism from some community stakeholders. In 2008, SLO County adopted an inclusionary housing ordinance. It requires developers to either build…
Live on the small screen
Combine your favorite shows with local performance art Aug. 4 and 5 at Suspended Motion in SLO. The studio’s As Seen on TV summer aerial showcase features a stellar summer lineup planned with popular TV shows in mind. Look for sci-fi thrillers, reality TV, medical dramas, and even some throwbacks to TV classics. Tickets are…
The Emoji Movie
What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Sunset Drive In, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy New This animated comedy takes place in Textopolis, a world inside a smartphone that’s inhabited by various emojis. There, an emoji named Gene (voiced by T.J. Miller) is ashamed that he has multiple facial expressions while his colleagues only…
Woman accused of neglecting horses previously charged for endangering dog
A 43-year-old Paso Robles woman facing felony charges for neglecting to care for horses in the California Valley was previously charged with animal endangerment for leaving a dog in a car, according to court records. On July 25, the SLO County Sheriff’s Office announced that it had completed an animal neglect case against former California…
Dunkirk
DUNKIRK What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10, Galaxy 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 evacuation of Dunkirk, when…
Summer fling
Go wild: Margarita Adventures (the same folks who combined wine tasting at Ancient Peaks tasting room and ziplining) is now offering kayak and wildlife tours of their gorgeous Margarita Ranch property. See vineyards, forests, and perhaps even an eagle or two on this rustic adventure made even better by a subsequent glass of cab (margarita-adventures.com)…
Loans available to businesses impacted by storms
Local businesses and nonprofits whose bottom lines were hit hard by last winter’s storms and the recent Mud Creek Slide on Highway 1 may file economic injury forms with SLO County to receive low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). County Office of Emergency Services Manager Ron Alsop told New Times his office…
One hit wonder: San Luis Obispo holds first cannabis competition
Tucked away off Avila Beach Drive, marijuana smoke wafts into the breeze on a beautiful Saturday in July. I’m standing in the middle of a dirt patch on Monte Road, and the SLO Cannabis Cup hosted by SLO County NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) is just beginning. While cities such as…
Word on the street
But first, coffee: Did you know Bella Mundo in SLO has changed its name to Ascendo Coffee? Don’t worry. This sweet little coffee spot next to Boo Boo Records still offers up all the specialty iced coffees and homemade treats you crave this summer! … I know that last week I introduced the fact that…
Musical vibrations
The average traveler carries a backpack and wears a pair of headphones playing their favorite tunes to get through the commute or hike, or even just a pack with goods to survive a music festival. Cal Poly grad Jared Becker took the average pack and came up with something more, a backpack to enhance the…
Blast from the Past: The First Wives Club
When? 1996 What’s it rated? PG Where’s it available? DVD, Streaming on Amazon and Hulu When you think of a go-to pick-me-up movie, one filled with marital betrayal, vengeance, blackmail, and more shoulder pads than you can shake a stick at doesn’t seem to be a natural fit. Nonetheless, ever since I fished out The…
Clink clink!
Shake it up: Looking for a refreshing summer adult beverage that isn’t filled with weird chemicals? Yes Cocktail Company of Paso Robles is churning out 100 percent natural mixers, syrups, and more for all your mixology urges (cucumber jalapeño and ginger citrus included). Go to yescocktailco.com to find out more and pick up your own…
Baby Driver
What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, 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, eventually leading…
Because ice cream fixes everything
Did you know that we are living in the golden age of craft ice cream, people? If this is news to you, run—don’t walk—to the Negranti Creamery ice cream truck, which has been popping up all across SLO County this summer, including wineries, events, and happenings (follow @Negranticreamery on Instagram to find out where this…
Equal dignity
Does anyone remember a time when more than three times the number of voters needed signed up to put an initiative on a city ballot? This week San Luis Obispo city residents are getting mail-in ballots. A “yes” vote will permanently repeal the invasive and discriminatory rental housing inspection ordinance adopted by an out-of-touch City…
The wait is over: The Tipsy Gypsies release new album ‘Waiting’
Deck yourselves in your most dapper Don Draper duds and head to Luna Red this Saturday, July 29, for the release of Waiting, The Tipsy Gypsies’ new 11-track album (8 p.m.; 21-and-older; $20 at eventbrite.com). The evening, billed as Mad & Tipsy, promises to be a classy night of music starting with opening act Brass…
Now that’s good medicine
Take your meds Learn more about Re:Find Distillery by calling 239-9456 or at refinddistillery.com. For more information about Good Medicine Presents go to goodmedicinepresents.com. The Fox Theatre has been a fixture of Spring Street in downtown Paso Robles for decades. Built in the ’20s as a V.F.W. hall, it later served as the only movie…
The bell tolls for us
“Then you will have to fight in your country as we fight here.” “Yes, we will have to fight.” “But are there not many fascists in your country?” “There are many who do not know they are fascists but will find it out when the time comes.” “But you cannot destroy them until they rebel?”…
Despicable Me 3
What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? 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 voiced by…
Politics and good wine with friends is the way to go
Michael Latner raises a good point in his op-ed piece when he describes the popular myth of old-time political comity as, umm, “male bovine scat” (July 13). The actual political discord of some earlier times makes our own bitterly ideologically divided times seem like a 1960s love-in by comparison, although some of the abuse targeted…
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…
Polar bears are like canaries
The two most prominent scientific institutions in the United States are the National Academy of Science—whose 4,000 members are made up of the most important of this country’s scientists, including all the nation’s Nobel laureates and Fields Medal recipients—and the 170-year-old scientific journal, Scientific American. Both those most prestigious and venerable institutions endorse the proposition…
Spider-Man: Homecoming
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, 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.). This time around, Tony…
Mobile SoulCycle DJ trike aims to transform SLO’s public spaces
Musical trike Support the SoulCycle dream by visiting the Indiegogo crowdfunding site and searching “SoulCycle.” From there, you can learn more about the project, backing rewards, and pledge a donation. You can also email Gil at djmanogil@gmail.com. Hold any vinyl record in your hand—say, James Brown’s 1963 release Live at the Apollo—and you’ll see visible…
Fact-check, Al Fonzi
After reading Al Fonzi’s opinion piece in the July 20 edition of New Times titled, “What makes a skeptic?” I felt compelled to fact-check some of his assertions. I went to the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) website and found lots of factual, useful information. It describes how the emails associated with the so-called “climate-gate”…
Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets
What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth? Rental Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Sunset Drive In, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy 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 space-city that’s home to…
SLO Rep’s young actors take the lead with ‘Into The Woods Jr.’
Story time The musical Into The Woods Jr., put on by the kids of the Academy of Creative Theatre, will run through Aug. 6 at the San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre. Tickets range from $17 to $25. Visit slorep.org for more information. If the standard “and they lived happily ever after” bedtime story seems too…
NASA’s take on CO2 levels
Cutting through the elegant verbosity in Al Fonzi’s piece “What makes a skeptic?” I seized upon what appeared to be a statement of fact: “During the ‘Roman Warm Period’ 2,000 years ago, it was considerably warmer and CO2 considerably greater, at 1,000 ppm.” Astounding! As someone who is horrified that we have reached 400 ppm…
Atascadero Police Department accused of racism in lawsuit
A Tulare County man is suing the Atascadero Police Department, claiming he was unlawfully detained, questioned, and searched in racially motived encounter with an APD officer last year. The lawsuit stated that the man, Army reservist Kyle Bell of Visalia, had traveled to SLO County with his wife and two children on Oct. 21, 2016,…
Traffic calming backlash
On Aug. 15, the SLO City Council will be asked to adopt a traffic redistribution plan that will profoundly affect vehicular and bicycle traffic throughout the city. The current proposal calls for long segments of both Chorro and Broad to become one-way streets. “Speed cushions” are intended for Broad Street. Bicyclists are the leading proponents…
Wonder Woman
What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth? Full Price Where’s it showing? Stadium 10 Pick Patty 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)…
