Cover Story
Uphill battle: With 11 active lawsuits, Friends of Oceano Dunes fights for the right to play on the dunes
Over the past 23 years, Friends of Oceano Dunes has filed dozens of lawsuits against various agencies and local governments to continue its mission of protecting camping, recreation, and beach driving. The group currently has 11 active lawsuits against organizations such as the California Coastal Commission, the San Luis Obispo County Air Pollution Control District,…
PIT Count reveals reduction in SLO County’s homeless population
San Luis Obispo County’s homeless population is reportedly decreasing, according to data from the preliminary Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. Released on May 6, early numbers showed that volunteers counted 1,171 homeless people on the night of Jan. 23—roughly 23 percent and 26 percent lower than the unhoused individuals accounted for in the 2022 and 2019 PIT…
Purposeful Edna Valley’s freshly bottled olive oil helps Central Coast FFA students achieve agricultural goals
Grab your bottle Purposeful Edna Valley olive oil is available at Bishop’s Market in the SLO Public Market, Wolff Vineyards, Saucelito Canyon Tasting Room, Baileyana Winery, and at Top Dog Coffee Bar in Morro Bay. Keep up with events and its list of FFA chapter recipients on its website free-4494545.webadorsite.com. Purposeful Edna Valley founder Laurie…
New legislation would help undocumented college students apply for on-campus employment
Undocumented college students across all California university campuses could be given the opportunity to apply for on-campus jobs through a new piece of legislation. Assembly Bill 2586—the Opportunity for All Act—aims to provide equal access to campus employment opportunities for all students regardless of their immigration status, according to Assemblymember David Alvarez (D-San Diego), who…
Recall effort against Bruce Gibson fails with insufficient signatures
The second round of efforts to recall 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson came to a screeching halt on May 2 after its proponents failed to gather enough signatures supporting their cause. “The requirements for recalling an elected official were changed after the Newsom recall, which put the requirement of signatures needed at 20 percent, unlike…
Oceano applies for grant to build elementary school track for community recreational opportunities
A new form of recreation could be on the horizon for community members in Oceano after the Community Services District’s Parks and Recreation Committee applied for a grant to help build a local track. During an April 24 Community Services District board meeting, President Charles Varni announced that the committee is seeking a $50,000 grant…
Correction
In the May 2 news brief “Grover H20 sues city over handling of water rates petition,” the organization’s spokesperson and former Grover Beach Mayor Debbie Peterson was misquoted. The quote included an incorrect election date. The quote should read, “Rushing is the only one that remains [named in the lawsuit], and the option is to…
‘Partisan hackery’
Citizen initiatives and referendums play an invaluable role in our democracy in California. While community grassroots efforts certainly are not immune from critique, there should be an attempt made to understand. As a Morro Bay resident, I proudly support ballot measure A-24: a citizen-led initiative that actually gives more local control by empowering residents to…
EV mandate will cause more problems than it solves
According to the state Air Resources Control Board, California is mandating by executive fiat the electrification of all new vehicles purchased in California by 2035. Not mentioned is the cost of the mandate or who will pay for it. The first issue is fire safety. According to Business Insider, “Car fires have always been dangerous…
Guilt and grievance
It is no secret that we live in a polarized, increasingly “tribalized” society. And most of us realize that our history has not always been admirable. Does it help us to obsessively dwell upon the shameful parts of our remote history, especially when it is then used to assign blame to some of today’s people?…
The Fall Guy is an action-packed rom com delight
THE FALL GUY What’s it rated? PG-13What’s it worth, Bulbul? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Caleb? Full priceWhere’s it showing? Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In Former stuntman-turned-director David Leitch (Bullet Train, Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde) helms this action comedy loosely based on Lee Majors TV series of the same name (1981-1986), about Colt…
Boo, Bruce! Boohoo!
Some people sure have a bee in their bonnet over 2nd District Supervisor Bruce Gibson. To hear them describe him, he’s practically got pointy horns, a forked tail, and cloven hooves. According to the pithily monikered Committee to Support the Recall of Supervisor Bruce Gibson (CTSTROSBG), the liberal-minded politician is guilty of all manner of…
Freaky Friday
What’s it rated? PG When? 2003 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on May 11 (1:30, 4:15, 7, and 9:30 p.m.), May 12 (1:30, 4:15, and 7 p.m.), and May 13 (7:30 p.m.) Freaky Friday features teenaged Lindsey Lohan in her heyday and Jamie Lee Curtis as a put-upon mom whose…
Streets of Fire
What’s it rated? PG When? 1984 Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo on May 10 (4:15 and 7 p.m.) Director and co-writer Walter Hill (The Warriors, 48 Hrs., Johnny Handsome) helms this neo-noir “rock & roll fable,” a furious motorcycle musical set in a dystopian ’50s-esque retro future that exists in…
Atascadero residents are responsible for 30 miles of rural roads
When Atascadero Public Works Director Nick DeBar moved to town, he was surprised by the way the city’s road system worked. While the city maintains about 145 miles of the roughly 190 miles of roadway in town and Caltrans takes care of the highway miles, residents are responsible for about 30 miles of roads. “It…
The Central Coast Artists Collective doesn’t discriminate when it comes to art or artists
Join ’em For more info about how to join the Central Coast Artists Collective or where their work is showing, visit centralcoastartistscollective.org. See their show at Art Center Morro Bay, 835 Main St., from May 16 to June 24. With beautiful scenery and slower pace of life, the Central Coast is home to a plethora…
Nipomo High School joins Airgas welding education initiative
Nipomo High School recently became one of 34 schools from 29 states to join the High School Welding Education Initiative for the first time, a program offered through welding equipment supplier Airgas. “Nipomo High School was selected to participate … as the teachers and the school board had an established commitment to advancing welding education;…
Halcyon program highlights filmmaker and author Vladan Mijatovic Zivojnov
The Temple of the People in Halcyon is hosting a two-day program with documentary filmmaker and photojournalist Vladan Mijatovic Zivojnov, who will speak about his latest book, Into the Heart of Gold. The book documents Zivojnov’s pilgrimage to meet with the Dalai Lama of Tibet. On Saturday, May 18, Zivojnov will read an excerpt from…
Morro Bay Senior Center hosts art exhibit at Buttercup Bakery and Cafe
Watercolor paintings and drawings from participants of art classes at the Morro Bay Senior Center are currently on display at Buttercup Bakery and Cafe, as part of a new exhibition. The showcase opened in early May and is scheduled to remain up through Saturday, June 1. For more info on the exhibit and the Morro…
Legendary R&B and gospel powerhouse Mavis Staples plays the Fremont Theater on May 11
Mavis Staples is among the great powerhouse female vocalists of R&B and gospel, up there with Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Mahalia Jackson, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Odetta, and Bettye LaVette. She’s literally a living legend, the last surviving member of the groundbreaking family band The Staple Singers, a three-time Grammy Award winner who during her long…
