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Location, location: The California Coastal Commission’s off-roading ban at the Oceano Dunes could affect the popular filming destination
The Oceano Dunes District, with its rolling sand dunes stretching from Grover Beach down to Guadalupe, has made its fair share of cameos in movies, TV shows, and music videos. In the 1920s, Cecil B. DeMille famously transformed the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes into an ancient Egyptian city for his silent film The Ten Commandments. Johnny Depp…
Marian hospital opens behavioral health unit
On June 8, Marian Regional Medical Center in Santa Maria opened its first behavioral health unit, which hospital leaders say fills an urgent and unmet need in the community. The eight-chair behavioral health unit will be open 24 hours a day to provide “intervention, assessment, evaluation, therapy, and support for those experiencing a mental health…
Skipper’s rallies to help GALA replace sign stolen as Pride month started
Skipper’s Brew Coffee House in San Luis Obispo is donating 100 percent of its sales today, June 7, to the GALA Pride and Diversity Center. Skipper’s posted their efforts on Instagram, calling on its customers to support the GALA center after its office sign was stolen sometime between May 30 and June 2. “We are all…
Santa Barbara council member selected to represent Central Coast on Coastal Commission
Gov. Gavin Newsom recently selected Santa Barbara City Councilmember Meagan Harmon to represent the South Central Coast on the California Coastal Commission, beating out several other well-known elected officials from the tri-counties region. On May 4, Newsom’s press office announced Harmon’s appointment to the Coastal Commission, a decision that came after Harmon was nominated for…
Santa Barbara County to get $86 million from American Rescue Plan
From long term projects, like building a strong child care network, to urgent capital improvements, such as replacing an elevator in the Santa Barbara Main Jail, Santa Barbara County has plenty of issues it could address with American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. During a June 1 Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors meeting, 1st…
We need to take our county back
I am writing to address the growing homeless and crime problem in our community. I have many friends with businesses in the North County and they have been plagued with problems. One of my friends is security for the buildings where his shop is located. Twice during one week in May he ran off two…
Mental health and the law
What do we do about crazy people? The recent murder of a local police officer and shooting of another by a person whose mental illness had allegedly been previously reported to law enforcement highlights the difficulty of responding to reports of mental illness. On May 10, 2021, Edward Giron killed police Detective Luca Benedetti and…
Morro Bay wind farm is a bad idea
According to a recent New Times article, it appears that this Morro Bay wind farm business is coming along (“Morro Bay wind farm project is back in motion,” May 27). They are proposing floating platforms far out to sea, somewhat based on experience with oil and gas offshore development. Floating wind platforms have only been…
Will of the people?
Apparently, the SLO City Council didn’t get the Black Lives Matters (BLM) and Cal Poly Students for Quality Education (SQE) memo about defunding the police because instead of lowering the city’s police funding, the newly passed two-year budget increases it. “The people have spoken,” says the infographic being distributed by BLM and SQE. “We’ve said…
A Quiet Place II is a taut monster movie with emotional depth
A QUIET PLACE II What’s it rated? R When? 2020 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Regal, Galaxy, Park What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Co-writer/director John Krasinski helms this follow-up to his wildly successful 2018 sci-fi horror film A Quiet Place, about The Abbott family—father Lee (Krasinski), mother Evelyn…
Good Medicine Presents returns with Circles Around the Son on June 5 and ALO on June 10
When Circles Around the Sun was at SLO Brew Rock a month ago, the show sold out before the ink was dry on this music column. Now they’re coming to Castoro Cellars this Saturday, June 5, from 7 to 10 p.m., and as of June 1, there were still tickets remaining, but if you want…
Friends: The Reunion
What’s it rated? Not rated When? 2021 Where’s it showing? HBO Max The moment every Friends fan has been waiting for has finally arrived—the gang is back together and ready to reminisce! From calling back to iconic moments (can you hear the words “Pivot! Pivot! Pivot!!!!” in your head yet?) to down-and-dirty behind-the-scenes gab, we…
Chaos Walking
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Redbox Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) directs this sci-fi action film based on Patrick Ness’ 2008 young adult novel The Knife of Never Letting Go. It’s 2267, and colonists on a planet dubbed New World eek out an agrarian existence in a place…
Local abstract painter Christine Marie presents Space & Time, a new collection on display at SLO Provisions with a June 5 opening reception
Christine Marie wears a lot of hats. She’s a creative entrepreneur and Mission Women’s Business Center consultant, a curator, and contemporary artist whose new exhibition of abstract paintings called Space & Time is on display at SLO Provisions through June. This Saturday, June 5, you’re invited to an opening reception as part of Art After…
ARTery in Atascadero holds new group show, Brush, Needle, Camera, Kiln
The Atascadero Art Association presents Brush, Needle, Camera, Kiln, a new multimedia exhibition at the ARTery, which runs through Thursday, June 17. This group show includes a variety of media created by members of the association. A special outdoor opening reception for the exhibit will take place on Friday, June 4, from 6:30 to 8:30…
SLO Rep reopens with new production, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged]
Tickets are now on sale for the SLO Repertory Theatre’s upcoming production, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare [abridged], which opens on Friday, June 18, and is scheduled to run through Sunday, Aug. 8. Performances will be held every Friday at 7 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. This…
Guest speaker LeeAnne Krusemark joins SLO NightWriters’ next Zoom meeting
Journalist, author, and publicist LeeAnne Krusemark will be discussing topics of publishing and manuscript formatting during the San Luis Obispo NightWriters’ next virtual presentation, scheduled to be held on Tuesday, June 8, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Admission to join the meeting is free. Call (805) 703-3132 or visit slonightwriters.org to learn more…
Winning Images 2021
A photograph can capture a moment in a way that words simply can’t. Since 1994, the New Times Media Group has invited local photographers to show us their perspective on spaces that surround them in our annual 25th Annual Winning Images contest. We have several categories : People, In Motion, Land/Seascape, Animals, Flora, Travel, Open…
Absolution Cellars specializes in single vineyard, single variety wines from three Central Coast counties
Waterfront sips Visit Absolution Cellars in Morro Bay Thursday through Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. at 845 Embarcadero, suite H. Reserve a tasting online at absolutioncellars.com. Find it on Facebook and Instagram @absolutioncellars. As Absolution Cellars owner Dirk Neumann pours a taste of 2020 rosé out on his Morro Bay patio, he launches into…
County to consider the formation of a second Oceano advisory council
Oceano could soon be home to two separate community advisory councils: one with members who unanimously support the elimination of off-roading in the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) and one with members who are adamantly against it. At its upcoming meeting on June 8, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors is…
SLO approves pilot program to send an EMT and social worker to homeless calls
The San Luis Obispo City Council approved its two-year budget on June 1 and signed off on a new proposed public safety pilot program that will start sending an EMT and social worker to homeless-related 911 calls instead of armed police officers. The pair, when hired, will serve as the city’s Mobile Crisis Unit, and…
Paso Robles man convicted of child molestation
After a prolonged five-year case, on June 2, SLO County Superior Court Judge Barry LaBarbera found Paso Robles resident Jason Robert Porter guilty of committing sexual acts on children and possession of child pornography. LaBarbera said the case was solidified after an 11-year-old victim gave her testimony against Porter on June 1—she was the last…
Restaurant Revitalization Fund helps provide financial relief for staffing challenges during post-shutdown business boom
Shawn Van Pelt, owner of Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse in Santa Maria, added 150 outdoor seats to his restaurant to accommodate pandemic restrictions this past year. Given the time and resources he poured into the addition, Van Pelt said he would like to keep filling these seats, especially with the economy opening up again. But…
Countdown for Lucia Mar recall petitioning has officially started
A group of South County parents has the green light to move forward with its efforts to recall several Lucia Mar Unified School District board of education members who they say failed to advocate for students amid the pandemic. On May 28, the San Luis Obispo County Clerk-Recorder’s office gave Central Coast Families for Education…
Recovering together: Ascent Recovery Services coaches clients through the critical weeks
Charlie Jackson has been in the mental health and addiction recovery field since 2009. Jackson’s first job was in rehab for substance abuse disorders. His experience in the field extends to his personal struggle with addiction and chronic relapse until he successfully became sober at the age of 20. He said he “practically grew up…
New TCE detection on Buckley Road prompts another investigation
A new detection of the carcinogen TCE near the San Luis Obispo County Airport has prompted another investigation into its source, two years after regulators pinned the pollution on a nearby machine shop, which denied responsibility. Recent soil gas samples taken by the SLO County Airport turned up high amounts of TCE at a property…
Reckoning with our needs
On May 20, I attended the funeral service for SLO Police Detective Luca Benedetti, who was tragically shot and killed while serving a search warrant on May 10. I am heartbroken over this loss, and along with our community, I grieve for Detective Benedetti’s wife and two young girls, who will now grow up without…
Traveling nurses help county vaccination efforts
Hattie Sentmore was gearing up to leave her New Orleans home earlier this year for her first COVID-19-related traveling nurse assignment in Texas when her best friend convinced her to switch assignment locations to California. The women arrived in San Luis Obispo on Feb. 1, and Sentmore said she’s been on an incredible journey ever…
