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Last-Minute Gift Guide 2022: Find memories, markets, plants, and more
Tis the season to spend some money on loved ones, friends, and possibly frenemies—if you’re into that kind of thing. But let’s not be boring. No socks, OK? Having trouble coming up with something else? We’ve got you covered with our annual Last-Minute Gift Guide, which keeps the focus hyper local and very fun. Your…
Nipomo Library hosts Reading to Rover youth program
The Nipomo Library will host its next Reading to Rover event on Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Children are welcome to come to the library and read books to two friendly therapy dogs during this program designed for preschool and elementary school students. For more info on the event and additional offerings…
Gala’s youth services are expanding to include safe social groups for LGBTQ-plus youth
San Luis Obispo’s kids belonging to the LGBTQ-plus community have more safe places to gather thanks to the Gala Pride and Diversity Center. The nonprofit’s youth services wing added a new weekly group for middle and high schoolers. Called the Trans Youth Group for kids ages 11 through 18 years old, they meet every Tuesday…
Her last stand
Maybe it’s senioritis or lame duckery or the realization that she doesn’t have to pretend to care what her constituents think of her anymore, but outgoing 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton is making her exit in a way that tells those who voted for her successor, Jimmy Paulding, that they chose wisely. During the Dec.…
San Luis Obispo’s HellaHot doles out fiery chicken, waivers, and NFTs
Feel the burn Grab HellaHot’s hot chicken and more at the Creamery Marketplace on 570 Higuera St., SLO. Learn about NFTs and job openings at the counter. Keep up with their menu updates on Instagram at @hellahot. I’ll state the obvious: San Luis Obispo is full of hot chicken spots. But one of them draws…
R.I.P.D. 2: Rise of the Damned is dreadful
R.I.P.D. 2: RISE OF THE DAMNED What’s it rated? PG-13What’s it worth, Glen? Don’t botherWhat’s it worth, Anna? Don’t botherWhere’s it showing? Netflix Co-writer Paul Leyden directs this sequel to the 2013 action comedy R.I.P.D., about an afterlife law enforcement agency whose operatives go after Deados—monsters and demons disguised as humans. (102 min.) Glen I…
Forget the trinket and instead gift an experience to be remembered
I guess a necktie or some perfume or a scarf is OK, but if you need a last-minute gift and you want it to stand out, give an activity that can grow into a memory—a gift that keeps on giving long after the tie is out of style, the perfume has run dry, or that…
SLO County supervisors adopt controversial new Paso Robles basin ordinance
Despite pleas and legal threats from the local agricultural industry, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors narrowly adopted a new planting ordinance for the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin on Dec. 6. The ordinance—the first major change in county policy for the parched basin in almost a decade—expands landowners’ access to groundwater while also…
Plenty of crafty gifts await at these upcoming makers markets and pop-up shops
Tired of holiday shopping at big-box stores or on Amazon? San Luis Obispo County has a bounty of local makers markets coming up this month so you can shop for out-of-the-box gifts. We highlighted 10 pop-up markets where you can find locally made goods and crafts this holiday season. SLOcally Made Market At this temporary…
Fleishman is in Trouble
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2022 Where’s it showing? Hulu Dr. Toby Fleishman (Jesse Eisenberg) can’t find his wife, Rachel (Claire Danes). Well, ex-wife that is. He’s working through the dissolution of his marriage, diving into the world of dating apps, trading a fancy New York apartment for a bachelor pad, and reconnecting with his…
Plants and flowers are thoughtful gifts that highlight the Central Coast’s natural beauty
San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties’ nurseries, gardens, and plant shops bring the world’s biodiversity to our fingertips. This holiday season, pick from a cornucopia of flowers and houseplants as eleventh-hour gifts that still show you care. Our list is in no way exhaustive but highlights some savvy local businesses that cater to green…
County supervisors drop the ax on Oceano Advisory Council
After claiming to stay silent for years, 4th District Supervisor Lynn Compton opened the verbal floodgates at the Dec. 6 San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors meeting, washing away the Oceano Advisory Council in her wake. During an hour-and-a-half-long commentary at the meeting, Compton wielded a “3-inch stack of documents and 15 videos” to…
Check out these local stores catering to stationery aficionados
Everyone has that one friend who goes crazy for stationery. You know, the guy or gal with 80 notebooks, boxes of pens, and enough stickers to make a kindergarten teacher swoon? This holiday season, instead of making a run to Staples to buy a last-minute gift for that friend, check out these local stationery stores…
Zola
What’s it rated? R When? 2020 Where’s it showing? Showtime You’d be forgiven if you’ve never heard of Zola. It debuted at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and had a limited theatrical release in 2021, but despite being nominated for and winning a raft of awards, it’s drifted into obscurity. Frankly, it deserves…
Three companies win offshore wind energy leases for Morro Bay area
Big changes could be coming to the coast off Morro Bay as 43 companies vied to nab one of five commercial wind farm leases in the Pacific Ocean. The lease sale, held by the Bureau of Energy Management (BOEM) was finalized on Dec. 7. Equinor Wind US LLC, Central California Offshore Wind LLC, and Invenergy…
Peace begins with open discussions between people who believe they’re enemies
“Now, Therefore, I, Harry S. Truman, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the cessation of hostilities of World War II, effective twelve o’clock noon, December 31, 1946.” I was a little more than 10 months old when President Truman proclaimed an end to war and the beginning of what the world…
FCFA firefighters ask for more funding and staffing
Six back injuries, trauma to the shoulder and knee, an on-duty heart attack, and a hit to the respiratory system. These are some of the work-related damages faced by firefighters in the Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA) over the past three years. “On average, one person is on work compensation for a work-related injury almost…
The LGBTQ-plus community is welcome in SLO
In regards to the story about local businesses being intimidated about having family drag shows (“SLO businesses receive intimidating messages about drag performances,” Dec. 1), here’s support from another local business owner: Hi, my name is Namu. I’m the owner of Namu.Love and I want to make this abundantly clear: I live and work in…
Petition to oust Paso school board trustee gains traction
Some Paso Robles residents are tired of the countless controversies that have plagued the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) over the last couple of years. That frustration came to a head on Nov. 10, when a group of parents and community members filed a petition with the County Office of Education to oust…
Get your last dose of live music before it slows for the holidays
The holidays are approaching, the college students will soon be gone, and the live music selection will slow down considerably, so make the most of this last week before it’s too late. Let’s start with the Fremont Theater. Channel Tres plays this on Saturday, Dec. 10 (8 p.m.; all ages; $40.77 at seetickets.us). Born Sheldon…
Bruce Gibson wins 2nd District supervisor race by 13 votes
In one of the tightest local elections in recent memory, San Luis Obispo County 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson prevailed over challenger Bruce Jones, winning by 13 votes, or 0.06 percent, according to final certified election results posted Dec. 7. The final tally showed Gibson with 11,722 votes and Jones with 11,709 votes. His reelection…
Cuesta College presents the award-winning play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Catch it while you can! Enjoy the performance at the Harold J. Miossi CPAC Experimental Theater located on Highway 1 in SLO through Dec. 11. Visit cuesta.universitytickets.com for show times and to purchase tickets. From the technical wonders of special effects to the heartfelt acting, Cuesta College’s drama program aims to make a profound impact…
Winter Festival Market showcases local crafters in Nipomo
Birchwood Garden Barn and Home in Nipomo presents the Winter Festival Market, which will be open on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The two-day, pop-up boutique sale will feature items from more than 25 local crafters, artists, and other vendors. Hot…
AGHS students bring Maltida: The Musical to the Clark Center
The Arroyo Grande High School (AGHS) Theatre Company presents its final performances of Matilda: The Musical at the Clark Center for the Performing Arts on Dec. 8, 9, and 10, at 7 p.m. each evening. Adapted from the classic Roald Dahl novel, Matilda: The Musical is described as an exploration of “the anarchy of childhood”…
