Cover Story
Pay up: Parking costs are about to double for downtown SLO visitors
When freshman San Luis Obispo City Councilmember Emily Francis started her term in office a few months ago, she was initially skeptical about city plans to build a fourth parking garage downtown. Her concern wasn’t just about the $53 million estimated price tag—a cost that has basically doubled since COVID-19. She questioned the need and…
Arroyo Grande to discuss safe parking program ordinance
Arroyo Grande’s horizon includes ambitious plans to address the homelessness and affordable housing problems—an ordinance for safe parking sites. Originally meant for study at its Feb. 28 City Council meeting, the ordinance discussion was tabled after a previous agenda item about the future of fire services took longer than anticipated. Community Development Director Brian Pedrotti…
SLO city hit with new demand to switch to by-district elections
The city of San Luis Obispo received another attorney’s letter demanding that it establish City Council districts or face a lawsuit, just weeks after it had successfully resolved the same legal threat from a different source. Malibu-based attorney Kevin Shenkman submitted the Feb. 17 letter on behalf of the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project, the…
Atascadero housing development held up by mismanagement claims
A proposed change to an ongoing housing development in Atascadero has one resident attempting to rectify what she claims to be a mishandling of construction. Originally approved in 2017, the development located at 10850 El Camino Real aimed to build 48 senior living apartments, 20 townhomes, seven single-family residential cottages, parking, and amenities. During a…
Local reggae icon Vance Fahie needs our help, March 4, at SLO Brew Rock
If you’re into the local reggae scene even a little bit, you know Vance Fahie. He’s fronted Resination for as long as I can remember, bringing good vibes and great music to a legion of Central Coast fans. Now Vance needs our help. On Sunday, Feb. 12, Vance experienced multiple seizures, and after being rushed…
After 30 years of planning, Allan Hancock College opens its new Fine Arts Complex
Student-produced artwork and live demonstrations greeted people who stepped out of the rain and into Allan Hancock College’s newest building on Feb. 24. The 88,000-square-foot two-story Fine Arts Complex with a corrugated metal facade includes a 400-seat concert hall, a film screening room, and student lounge areas for students in the college’s dance, drama, film,…
Everyone needs to stay ‘wide awake’
How refreshing to read such an insightful piece in Rhetoric & Reason (“You can call me ‘woke,’ but I prefer ‘wide awake,'” Feb. 23)! When the term “woke” first started being bantered about by right-wing nutjobs, it was my husband who first reminded me that it was progressive 19th century Republicans who established the “Wide…
Cocaine Bear is a silly hoot
COCAINE BEAR What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Glen? Full price What’s it worth, Anna? Full price Where’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10 Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2, Charlie’s Angels) directs this action comedy inspired by a 1985 true story about black bear ingesting 75 pounds of smuggled cocaine. (95 min.)…
Parking paradise
Mark your calendars, folks. Starting in July, you can expect parking rates in downtown San Luis Obispo to double! Apparently, we really need a new $53 million parking garage. Does that number sound familiar? It also happens to be about how much it would cost to build a brand new police station. If you had…
Mr. Harrigan’s Phone
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2022 Where’s it showing? Netflix Craig (Jaeden Martell) grows to admire his employer, Mr. Harrigan (Donald Sutherland), whom he reads to from the billionaire’s magnificent library. The two grow close, forming a bond over the words on the pages they share every afternoon. Craig teaches the old man to use…
Del’s Pizzeria continues its beloved run after 50 years, three moves, and countless bread rolls
A slice of history Grab a table at Del’s Pizzeria, 1101 Price St., Pismo Beach. The restaurant is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout March with specials on their menu items, including $9.99 lasagna through March 12. Call them at (805) 773-4438 to place orders, or visit delspizzeria.com. Framed photographs pepper the interior of Del’s Pizzeria…
Sharper
What’s it rated? R When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Apple TV Plus Benjamin Caron (The Crown) directs this nonlinear grifter story about various confidence games being played out in New York City by several “sharpers,” or swindlers. Who’s conning who is part of the fun as these interlayered stories unfold, with each new segment offering…
Utility companies and elected officials try to pinpoint why natural gas costs increased for residents this winter
In the 57 years he’s lived in Pismo Beach, Cliff Henley has never paid a natural gas bill as high as the one he got in January. “My bill for December is $75 average. Now it’s $435!” he told New Times on Feb. 20. “It’s like buying a car or taking out a loan and…
Local beer and art come together during pop-up events at Barrelhouse Brewery in SLO
Head on over Grab a local beer at Barrelhouse Brewery SLO (located at 1033 Chorro St.) on Sunday, March 5, and experience the creations of Kaitlyn Tolin from 12 to 3:30 p.m. For more information on this or future art events, visit Barrelhouse virtually at barrelhousebrewing.com or follow them on Instagram @bhbcslo. Visitors to Downtown…
We need bold action
In February, Indigenous peoples from throughout the Pacific and around the globe joined voices at a major international ocean conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, that gathered 3,000 participants from 123 countries and hundreds of Native nations. Hosted by the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, the province of British Columbia and the federal government of…
Study finds that funding for Five Cities Fire Authority is inadequate
A third-party consultant echoed concerns voiced by the Five Cities Fire Authority for at least the past five years. Hired by the city managers of Grover Beach and Arroyo Grande, the Baker Tilly group recently presented preliminary findings about the future of fire services in parts of southern San Luis Obispo County following the anticipated…
Store memories not things by purchasing tickets to local performances
The other day while I was sitting outside the Bijoux Cafe in Cayucos, a youngish acquaintance of mine strolled by and we started to chat. She said she was on her way to buy a friend a gift, and that most of her friends preferred experiences over stuff. She also said she bought local as…
Anam Cre Pottery Studio holds seven-part sculpture series
Sculptors Rod Perez and Jenn Hope will lead the Floral Female Sculpture Series at Anam Cre Pottery Studio in San Luis Obispo, starting on Friday, March 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The seven-part, biweekly series will continue with sessions on March 7, 10, 14, 17, 21, and 24. Perez and Hope will guide…
Are there enough ‘good’ Americans out there who support Ukraine?
Can it be true that America’s sunshine patriots are wavering in their support of the Ukrainian people’s valiant struggle against Putin’s invasion of their country? Does “long-term COVID” include the loss of one’s spine? “Live free or die” is just a motto here, but it is being put to action in Ukraine. These same Americans…
Pelletiere Estate Vineyard hosts Art and Wine Night
Abstract artworks by local artist Jeanne Tierno will be on display during Art and Wine Night at Pelletiere Estate Vineyard in Paso Robles. The event is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 10, from 3 to 7 p.m. Wine and cheese pairings will be available for purchase throughout the evening. Admission to attend the…
Driver police say killed couple and dog charged with vehicular manslaughter
The driver who allegedly hit and killed a San Luis Obispo couple in November now faces two counts of vehicular manslaughter after he was arrested on Feb. 27. Daniel Angel Saligan Patricio, 24, is accused of fatally hitting Matthew Chachere, 39, and Jennifer Besser, 36, on Nov. 21 as they walked their dog around 6…
Fifty-five visual artists participate in annual Beacon Art Show
The theme of this year’s Beacon Art Show, held at the San Luis Obispo United Methodist Church, is Artistic Spectrum. An opening reception for the 2023 exhibition is scheduled to take place on Friday, March 3, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This year’s showcase marks the program’s 15th annual event and features visual artworks from…
Glen Speck, Georgia Brown elementary schools in limbo again
Students and staff at two elementary schools face uncertainty about what campus they’ll call home after a new Paso Robles school board member requested that the district reconsider a February 2022 decision. At the Feb. 28 board meeting, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District board trustee and Georgia Brown parent Laurene McCoy asked the board…
