Cover Story
Central Coast residents left searching for home insurance after mass policy drops
Stay informed For more information on insurance options and what to do if your carrier drops, visit uphelp.org. For more information on the California FAIR Plan visit cfpnet.com. Nicole Pratt couldn’t believe her eyes when she read the letter from her insurance company. Kemper said it was dropping her Atascadero home insurance. “We have lived…
PCPA offers fresh, charming take on Jane Austen’s Emma, under the stars in Solvang
Sunset showings The Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) presents its production of Emma at the Solvang Festival Theater through Sunday, July 2. The company’s next production, Bright Star, will open at the outdoor venue on Friday, July 7, and run through Sunday, July 23.Visit pcpa.org or facebook.com/pacificconservatorytheatre for tickets and show times. For more info, call…
Central Coast Creative Corps awards grants to local artist-led groups, initiatives
Twenty-three organizations were recently selected through a competitive regional call to receive $140,000 grants as part of the Central Coast Creative Corps, a pilot grant program funded by the California Arts Council. Grantees were selected from a pool of more than 100 applicants by a panel of Central Coast-based artists and community leaders. Organizations in…
Substandard rental housing is the university’s fault
Thank you for your article on lackluster landlords in SLO (“Cal Poly students demand rent control, accountability for substandard housing from SLO City Council,” June 22). That was great grassroots work by Cal Poly students; kudos to them. I wanted to also ask and implore for more pressure to be put on the university and…
History always repeats itself, but why?
I thoroughly enjoyed the column John Ashbaugh wrote about James Watt (“The dark soul of James G. Watt,” June 15). I learned quite a few things about Watt that I missed at the time he was in action. (My bad, due to less interest in politics then.) Is it ironic that he hated that evil…
Vegan nonprofit recognizes outstanding SLO County restaurants with plant-based menus
Green cuisine For more information on Central Coast Vegans and its Best of SLO County award winners and nominees, visit ccvegans.org. Follow the organization on Instagram @ccvegans. One restaurant draws inspiration from Syria, while another specializes in Ethiopian cuisine. Both family-owned eateries are plant-based standouts recognized by Central Coast Vegans’ Best of SLO County awards…
WineSneak hosts book launch for Californienne
SLO-based author Molly Wyer will hold a book launch event for her new novel, Californienne, at WineSneak on Saturday, July 1, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required, as wine and cheese will be available for guests. WineSneak is located at 4468 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. Visit https://lu.ma/0g4i81nj to…
Experience the nostalgic sounds of The Beach Boys on July 5 at Vina Robles
Who doesn’t love The Beach Boys? Their music is the soundtrack of American adolescence. Just listing their hits would be endless! “Fun, Fun, Fun,” “I Get Around,” “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” “God Only Knows,” “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “Good Vibrations,” “Sloop John B.,” “Barbara Ann,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Catch a Wave,” “Don’t Worry Baby”—I could literally go…
Reagan was awful and so was James Watt
Thank you for printing John Asbaugh’s opinion piece (“The dark soul of James G. Watt,” June 15). I was so tired of your newspaper printing opinions by that right-wing lawyer from Paso Robles (forgot his name). Mr. Ashbaugh hit it right on the mark in his opinion. Watt was horrible as a Interior Department head.…
Los Osos South Bay Community Center to host showing of American Hospitals, Fixing a Broken System film
See for yourself To request a showing of American Hospitals, Fixing a Broken System, visit fixithealthcare.com/host-a-screening to sign up to host a free screening of the film in your community. The South Bay Community Center in Los Osos will soon be host to a film showcase and panel that former health care worker John Stavros…
Ditch meat and save the climate
A new study reveals that the surge of disastrous wildfires in California is almost entirely due to the changing climate. So as Independence From Meat Day (July 4) draws near, let’s help to tame the flames with planet-friendly vegan food. Animal agriculture is a leading driver of the climate catastrophe. It’s responsible for copious amounts…
Greed causes homelessness
Some people ask, “Why are there so many homeless?” It ain’t rocket science, when a room or converted garage is going for $1,200 a month maybe that’s why? I paid $ 500 a month for rent for 11 years until I had to move in with my disabled mom. My landlords could have gotten double…
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is a mind-blowing visual feast with ample action, heart, and humor
What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Fair Oaks, Park, Regal Edwards Arroyo Grande, Sunset Drive-In Editor’s note: Staff Writer Bulbul Rajagopal and Calendar Editor Caleb Wiseblood wrote Split Screen this week while Glen and Anna Starkey attended the Live Oak Music Festival. Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), Brooklyn’s newest Spider-Man,…
Governor overreach
At the height of the fight over Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget trailer bills (see “How a bill shouldn’t become a law,” my June 1 column), he took time to sit down for a New York Times interview with a sympathetic Ezra Klein. Newsom unloaded on ungrateful environmental groups for the reception he got for his…
And Just Like That
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Max Set 11 years after the events of the disastrous Sex and the City 2 movie, New York’s fashionable foursome has viewers asking a question that’s different from the usual “Are you a Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), a Samantha (Kim Cattrall), a Charlotte (Kristin Davis), or…
We’ve got you covered … not
“You’re in good hands.” “It’s at times like this that Metlife sets itself apart.” “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” “Let Prudential be your rock.” “All your protection under one roof.” “Responsibility. What’s your policy?” “Nationwide is on your side.” Hm. All these insurance company slogans seem very reassuring, don’t they? The idea…
Black Mirror (Season six)
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer, creator, and showrunner Charlie Brooker’s dystopian sci-fi/horror anthology series is back after a four-year hiatus. Based on the episodes I’ve seen so far, I have a feeling that the latest season of Black Mirror was worth the wait. There are five episodes total in…
Study examines the future of Oceano Dunes post-OHV ban
An independent study is attempting to dust off an image of the Oceano Dunes’ future should off-road vehicle (OHV) use be permanently reduced or stopped at the state park. Called the Oceano Dunes Stewardship Study, the 105-page document released on June 1 detailed 20 recommendations as a blueprint for prospective development, management, and promotion of…
San Simeon CSD appoints acting general manager
The San Simeon Community Services District (CSD) selected Patrick Faverty to serve as an acting general manager pending contract and start date negotiations at a June 23 special meeting. “What we have tonight is an agreement for acting managing duties,” CSD Legal Counsel Nubia Goldstein told the board. “Whoever the board selects will work with…
Arroyo Grande introduces ordinance removing discretionary permits for emergency shelters
Arroyo Grande is ready to steer back into process compliance. On June 27, the City Council unanimously initiated an update to Arroyo Grande’s municipal code that allows emergency shelters to be set up in three zoning districts without requiring discretionary permits. They did so to be consistent with state law—specifically Senate Bill 2 that requires…
SLO County partners with FEMA, state on North County disaster recovery center
Until July 1, North County residents seeking long-term recovery from damages caused by winter storms will be able to seek in-person assistance thanks to a new disaster recovery center set up in Templeton. The center at the Templeton Community Center is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and will assist businesses, homeowners, and renters…
Sunny Acres’ new court-appointed receiver faces the task of cleaning up what founder Dan DeVaul left behind
The program participants at San Luis Obispo’s Sunny Acres sober living community are preparing for a new dawn. Embattled for years with issues of overcrowding, unpermitted septic and power systems, and alleged mistreatment at the hands of program founder Dan DeVaul, site residents are waiting for such problems to be fixed by a court-appointed receiver.…
