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No more vacancy: SLO County attempts to right past wrongs at its safe parking site, won’t admit any new participants
Bungled public notice joined the list of confused and stilted services provided at San Luis Obispo County’s safe parking site on Oklahoma Avenue. “The messaging was not as clear as it should have been. … It was garbled, frankly,” 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson said. “We don’t just close [Oklahoma] Avenue—that site provides a safe…
Local social justice groups receive state grant to improve climate messaging equity
For all the hard work that organizations like the Diversity Coalition of SLO County have put in in recent years to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) locally, Executive Director Rita Casaverde said that climate justice is one issue that’s somewhat fallen through the cracks. That subject came up recently during a climate-focused roundtable attended…
Timbre Winery opens new production facility, tasting room in San Luis Obispo
Stay tuned Timbre Winery will celebrate the grand opening of its San Luis Obispo tasting room at 770 Capitolio Way in April. Updates will be posted at timbrewinery.com and on Instagram and Facebook @timbrewinery. Visit the winery’s Arroyo Grande location at 225 E. Branch St. on Sunday, Monday, and Thursday from noon to 5 p.m.,…
SLO’s plan for a new parking structure and arts district is ill-conceived
Thank you for your recent story about the proposed art district downtown and the $50 million parking structure to accommodate it (“Pay up: Parking costs are about to double for downtown SLO visitors,” March 2). The Shredder was right on the money (“Parking paradise,” March 2)! Why would anyone even consider giving away/trading valuable city…
An open letter to landlords and apartment managers
With homelessness in America spiraling out of control and homeowners and apartment managers able to rent out properties at obscenely high rates, you are in effect causing the homeless crisis. Nobody can criticize any of you individually, because supply and demand is the main reason for the crisis. There simply isn’t enough affordable housing to…
‘Who’s zooming who?’
I never understood the exact meaning of that Aretha Franklin song title, but the lyrics imply a lack of trust. I just finished reading an investor newsletter explaining why some of my investments are not living up to my expectations. I have holdings in some natural gas companies, expecting a cold winter would boost demand.…
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre mildly entertains
OPERATION FORTUNE: RUSE DE GUERRE What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Glen? Stream itWhat’s it worth, Anna? Stream itWhere’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In Guy Richie directs this action comedy about super spy Orson Fortune (Jason Statham) who’s tasked with stopping arms dealer Greg Simmonds (Hugh Grant) from selling deadly…
Religion, government don’t mix with end-of-life matters
While there is very little that I agree on with Rhetoric & Reason opinion writer John Donegan, I do wish to expand on his Feb. 16 column concerning assisted suicide (“Government intervention in end-of-life care is not a good thing”). I agree with him that religion and government should have no role on decisions of…
Good plan. Let’s fund it.
California’s 30×30 initiative was launched three years ago when Gov. Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-82-20, which called for a plan to protect 30 percent of California’s lands and coastal waters by 2030. The goal aligns with a science-driven global 30×30 campaign to protect nature worldwide and head off the twin crises of extinction and…
Pamela: A Love Story
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2023 Where’s it showing? Netflix Ryan White (The Keepers) directs this intimate and revealing portrait of blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson, who became a superstar playing C.J. Parker on the hit TV series Baywatch in the ’90s, fumbled an attempt to segue into film with Barb Wire (1996), and then saw…
SLO moves forward on North Chorro bikeway
A doubled price tag didn’t stop the San Luis Obispo City Council from approving a $6.1 million construction contract for the long-planned and hotly debated North Chorro Neighborhood Greenway project. In a 4-0 vote, with Vice Mayor Jan Marx absent, the council took the final step to approve the new bike boulevard that will connect…
Another one bites the dusty parking lot
Looks like the Oklahoma Avenue Safe Parking Site’s days are numbered. The county’s pilot program, which began in August of 2021, isn’t accepting new participants and the 70 or so current “residents” are eventually going to have to find somewhere else to be homeless. To be fair, the program was initially designed to offer participants…
Local school districts struggle with hiring credentialed teachers
Rising student debt. Not enough compensation. A lack of qualifications and training. These are some of the reasons why school districts across the country are scrambling to find qualified teachers, according to Jim Lynett, executive director of the Paso Robles Public Educators. The issues have been exacerbated over time, due to what Lynett describes as…
The Fabelmans
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2022 Where’s it showing? Redbox, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Nominated for seven Academy Awards, including Best Director, Best Picture, and Best Original Screenplay, this is one of the year’s important films I sadly missed in theaters. It’s already won Best Motion Picture and Best Director at this year’s Golden Globes.…
Paso school board candidate alleges the district, county conspired against him
As a special election for the Paso Robles Joint Unified School District (PRJUSD) draws closer, one candidate has accused the district and the San Luis Obispo County Department of Education of colluding against him. “Being a retired career Marine colonel, I believe in the rule of law,” school board candidate Kenney Enney told New Times.…
Los Lobos plays Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center on March 14
Los Lobos has always labeled themselves a rock band, but that seems too limiting for a group that plays everything from Tex-Mex to brown-eyed soul, folk to zydeco, country to R&B, blues to punk to traditional Latin sounds like cumbia, boleros, and norteños. Now celebrating their 50th year together, this Los Angeles-based quintet transcends any…
Supervisors could consider Nipomo sheriff’s substation in budget
The dormant possibility of Nipomo receiving a sheriff’s substation came alive again during a San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors’ discussion about capital improvement. On March 7, Sheriff Ian Parkinson stressed the need for a substation in the unincorporated town. His comments, coupled with 4th District Supervisor Jimmy Paulding’s support for increased investment in…
State approves Paso Robles basin plan
After more than three years of review, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced that it plans to approve the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin sustainability plan—an important milestone that keeps the North County aquifer under local management. “It’s a clear green light,” said Blaine Reely, the groundwater sustainability director for San Luis Obispo County.…
Charlie Rugg showcases the bigger picture with And Also… at SLOMA
See the bigger picture Experience Charlie Rugg’s And Also… exhibition at SLOMA, 1010 Broad St, San Luis Obispo, until May 29. For more information, visit sloma.org. Find Rugg’s work online at cruggart.com. Former LA Galaxy soccer player Charlie Rugg is on a journey. “Throughout my sports career I remember there being a lot of moments…
Pismo receives pushback on effort to disqualify construction company
Pismo Beach’s attempt to disqualify a contracted construction company faced legal scrutiny during a recent City Council meeting. “You can’t debar the contractor if you’re happy with the end product because allegedly you’re unhappy with what happened in between, unless they breached the contract or violated wage laws, and that didn’t happen here,” attorney John…
Digital Art Group SLO presents PIXELS, Portals, and Paradigms
A collection of artworks created by members of Digital Art Group SLO are currently on display at Ann Foxworthy Gallery in Santa Maria, as part of the venue’s latest group exhibition—PIXELS, Portals, and Paradigms. An artist reception for the exhibit will be held on Thursday, March 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., while the show…
SLO County braces for another atmospheric river
It’s been two months since SLO County was battered by a deluge of rain that broke levees, eroded river embankments, and downed trees. As repairs from the Jan. 9 and 10 floods continue, local officials brace for another 2 to 4 inches of rain expected from March 9 through 11. According to the National Weather…
Sideways author Rex Pickett holds book signing in Paso Robles
Tickets are available in advance for an upcoming book signing event with author Rex Pickett at Windward Vineyard in Paso Robles, scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 15, from 2 to 5 p.m. Pickett will be signing copies of Sideways, the popular novel that explores wine country destinations along the Central Coast and spawned…
