Cover Story
The phone habit
Ironically enough, I discovered the Bored and Brilliant project while listening to a podcast on my iPhone. The premise is pretty simple. Staring at a cellphone screen now eats up all of the time we used to spend waiting, thinking, or being bored. And we are less productive (and I would argue, less happy) because…
SLO County, Coastal Commission staff work toward Pirate’s Cove cleanup plan
SLO County’s once big plans for cleaning up the illegal activity and trash at Pirate’s Cove have been reduced to the simple solution of closing the parking lot to cars from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. The big question is: Will the California Coastal Commission let them do it? There are other items on the…
‘Freaky Friday’ at PCPA is the perfect comedy romp for families
Freak is on fleek PCPA The Pacific Conservatory Theatre presents its production of Freaky Friday showing through Dec. 23, Wednesdays through Sundays at the Marian Theatre, 800 S. College, Santa Maria. More info: (805) 922-8313 or pcpa.org. It dawned on me about halfway through the first act of the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) production of…
Arroyo Grande council discusses lack of recycling centers
If you plan on trying to turn your bottles or cans into a little cash in Arroyo Grande, you are out of luck. Recycling centers across California are on the decline, and Arroyo Grande is no exception. At a Nov. 14 City Council meeting, City Manager Jim Bergman said that there are currently no recycling…
Win a custom guitar at Studios
Score a one-of-a-kind and custom electric guitar on Nov. 24 at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles. Guitar legend Gary Kramer of Gary Kramer Guitar Cellars recently gifted Studios with an instrument from his collection, which will be raffled off at the giveaway event on Black Friday starting at 5 p.m. Tickets are $30…
Paso Robles to consider a timed parking program
The city of Paso Robles is weighing the merits of bringing timed parking back to its downtown. Demand is high thanks to a strong local economy, and city and business leaders believe that it’s high time for a change to the status quo. Lack of downtown parking accounts for roughly $44,000 per year in lost…
‘Elf: The Musical’ at the PAC
Relive all the warm, fuzzy fun of Elf the movie live on stage at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center on Nov. 29 Elf: The Musical is the hilarious tale of Buddy, a young orphan child who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and is transported back to the North Pole. Unaware that he…
Gun shop owners arrested on assault weapon charges, DOJ mum on details
A husband and wife who recently opened a gun and sporting goods store in Arroyo Grande were arrested on assault weapons charges after an investigation by state officials. Dylan Todd, 36, and Stephanie Todd, 34, were arrested on Nov. 16 following an audit and investigation of their business, The Outdoorsman, by the California Department of…
Art at High Noon with Bryn Forbes
Get a behind-the-scenes insight into the photographic series, A Light Behind Every Window, with a talk from artist Bryn Forbes at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art on Dec. 7. The event is a part of the monthly series, Art at High Noon. Bring your lunch and enjoy a feast for the eyes with…
SLO city may get three recreational cannabis shops
San Luis Obispo might become the first city in SLO County to allow a recreational marijuana dispensary. It might even have three. That’s the city’s current plan, as planning staff continues to write the rules that will govern the emerging cannabis industry in SLO. Community Development Director Michael Codron told New Times he expects the…
Wine Country Theatre puts on ‘Gypsy,’ the musical
Let them entertain you Wine Country Theatre’s production of Gypsy will show through Dec. 3 at the Park Street Ballroom in Paso Robles. Tickets range from $20 to $25. Visit winecountrytheatre.com for more information. It’s dark, but the gleam of the iconic acorn clock tower in downtown Paso Robles tells us we’re in the right…
Grover Beach council will increase stipends
Future members of the Grover Beach City Council will be taking home slightly more money than their predecessors. Current members of the council voted 4-1 on Nov. 20 to approve a first reading of an ordinance that increases stipends for the city’s mayor and council members for the first time in more than 30 years.…
Zen Mountain Poets stop at The Siren on Nov. 30, their last stop of a national tour
They might call their music “psychedelic neo-prog folk jazz” and they might list Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Fleetwood Mac, It’s a Beautiful Day, and Grateful Dead as inspiration—all things you can definitely hear in their sounds—but at heart the Zen Mountain Poets are simply a tribe of folkie singer-songwriters who don’t let musical convention or…
SLO County seniors in need will receive gifts this holiday season from Be a Santa to a Senior
The holidays are a great reminder to slow down and take the time to enjoy one another. It’s something that Gina Perrault said she wished she did more often with her grandmother who recently died. “I wish I would of had more time with her, but when she was alive we were very close,” Perrault…
‘Lady Bird’ charms while weaving a poignant coming of age story
LADY BIRD What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full PriceWhere’s it showing? The Palm, Galaxy Writer-director Greta Gerwig helms this coming-of-age-story about high schooler Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson (Saoirse Ronan) over the 2002-03 school year in Sacramento, exploring her difficult relationship with her mother Marion (Laurie Metcalf) and others…
Bingeable: The Good Place (Season One)
When? 2016 What’s it rated? TV-14 Where’s it available? Streaming on Netflix I’m late to the game with The Good Place, which started last year and just finished its second season. But if you’re like me (as in, you’re never not entertained by Ted Danson) and you’ve got Netflix, check out the first episode. You’ll…
Socially engineered city
The social engineers are coming! If you drive in SLO, or live in its neighborhoods, they’re after you—unless you ride a bike. Did you know, for example, the city spends only 50 percent of transportation funds making driving safer, more convenient, and relieving traffic congestion? Fifty percent! As Mayor Heidi Harmon put it in these…
Film Listings 11/23/17 – 11/30/17
A BAD MOMS CHRISTMAS What’s it rated? R Where’s it showing? Galaxy A Bad Moms Christmas follows our three under-appreciated and over-burdened women as they rebel against the challenges and expectations of the Super Bowl for moms: Christmas. And if creating a more perfect holiday for their families wasn’t hard enough, they have to do…
Greener pastures
First, let me introduce myself. For 15 years I ran the Greener Pastures Institute (I once had an office in LA and had the toll free number 1-800-OUT-OF-LA). Arguably, I encouraged a few people to move north to SLO County. (Even more would have moved here if it weren’t for Diablo.) Mea culpa, right? I…
Do-good grubs
Help is on the way: Let’s raise some funds for our Northern California winemaker friends! The flames may have subsided, but the need for help has not. Join a cluster of local food and wine leaders for a Wine Feast for Fire Relief at Oyster Ridge in Santa Margarita this Dec. 8. You’ll dine on…
PG&E fat cats should pay up
Who should pay the costs of closing the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant? Mainstream opinion seems to waver between making PG&E customers pay through hikes in electric bills or making cities and counties find the money themselves to cover the effects on them of revenue losses from Diablo property taxes. PG&E spelled out a commitment…
Did you hear?
We salute you; the wine salutes you: If you love local wine, you know the name Archie McLaren. This beloved wine guy is retiring after 33 years manning the Central Coast Wine Classic event, which has helped with funding support for KCBX, the Northern Chumash cultural preservation, and the Vineyard and Farm Workers. An exhibit…
There’s no such thing as a purebred ‘lefty’
I am responding to Gary Wechter’s Nov. 16 comments that were directed at me (“It’s OK to be a lefty”). No, Mr. Wechter I am not protecting my biases, I am expressing them. I was encouraging individuals to study the actual economy, not the fantasy trickle-down model that is getting harder to find. Outsourcing defines…
Seasonal sensations
Drink your calories: Looking for a cozy holiday cocktail? Put a twist on the traditional eggnog delight: Mix that yummy eggnog with fig puree, bourbon, almond milk, nutmeg, and a sprig of thyme. Bring on the figgy pudding and holiday guests! … Eureka! in SLO has brought on the winter flavors, including spiced caramel popcorn,…
Being thankful for Thanksgiving
It’s that time of year again when local media reinforce the negative aspects of popular culture and unwittingly contribute to the general debasement of national traditions and in particular, American history. I allude to the almost now universal referral to “Thanksgiving” as “Turkey Day.” Popular culture has worked hard over the last generation to take…
Do wrong right this Turkey Day
Writer’s note: This story is all in good fun. Also, Thanksgiving is an important time to honor, respect, and remember our vital Native American history. Don’t be a jerk to your grandparents, and remember: Literally everyone is feeding the dog under the table, so let’s not make Scruffy hurl. Thanksgiving breaks all the rules. Dinner…
Red, gray, and blue
Did I miss the memo that hell froze over? What else could possibly explain that 5th District SLO County Supervisor Debbie Arnold stood up for SLO County homeowners over the GOP’s tax plan? It’s true! The Debster actually dared to break lockstep with the Republicans, dared to question their tax ideas, and actually put her…
Save the world, eat chocolate
What happens when two good things collide? I’m talking artisan chocolate and doing good in the world—two joyful things that, when combined, create an explosion of bliss. Mama Ganache Artisan Chocolates in SLO has long since funneled a portion of its funds to African cacao farmers working to grow their own businesses and strengthen their…
SLO reps to lobby for Diablo Canyon settlement at CPUC hearing
San Luis Obispo County government officials and elected representatives will convene in San Francisco on Nov. 28 for what will be their last opportunity to try to sway the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve PG&E’s application to decommission Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant by 2024-25. Within the application is an $85 million payout…
What’s your favorite Thanksgiving dish?
Grace Bolton student “Stuffing.” West Rosen student “I’m going to say mashed potatoes.” Isabella Pinter student “Probably mashed potatoes.” Stuart Carlson student “Cranberries.”
As state cannabis regulations crystalize, SLO County aims to take them a step further
SLO County supervisors continue to hash out what will become the local rules for the emerging marijuana industry, with the board set to meet on Nov. 27 for the fifth time in less than two months to discuss a cannabis land-use ordinance. The latest draft of the policy sets tight restrictions on marijuana activities in…
Oliver Herring comes to Cuesta for collaborative residency, exhibit
Join in Get involved with artist Oliver Herring’s residency through Dec. 7 by stopping by Cuesta College’s Harold J. Miossi Gallery or calling (805) 546-3202. Herring’s exhibit will show Dec. 7 to 22. Visit cuesta.edu for more information. Brooklyn-based artist Oliver Herring tells people, “I don’t know,” when asked what the plan is for one…
