Cover Story
Financial struggle: San Luis Obispo’s LGBTQ-plus nonprofit asks for donations to survive amid lost funding and alleged embezzlement
After announcing a financial crisis and risk of closure, Gala Pride and Diversity Center accused its previous executive director of stealing funds. On Nov. 13, Gala board of directors President Julia Thompson told attendees at a public question-and-answer forum that the board was “well aware of the need of meticulous oversight of finances moving forward…
A bill that claims to be about stopping terrorism threatens free speech
The House Ways and Means Committee met a year ago, on Nov. 15, 2023, for a hearing titled “From Ivory Towers to Dark Corners: Investigating the Nexus between Antisemitism, Tax-exempt Universities, and Terror Financing.” Committee members and witnesses, including Hillel International President and CEO Adam Lehman and Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, revisited the still-fresh…
We’re cutting down an oak forest in Nipomo
The Dana “Reserve” is an oxymoron, since it reserves nothing. More than 3,000 native California quercus agrifolia, which have lived free in the land of their ancestors for millennia, are to be sacrificed on the altar of lucre. Take a deep breath, and it is air they have filtered. Walk beneath their canopy, take a…
The real Faustian bargain is the one Trump voters just made
Mr. Donegan’s recent epic is touching in that, while still basking in the victory of his beloved leader, he takes the time to offer some tips to the losing team. And he puts a lot into his stuff (“Democrats are paying now for a 2020 deal with the devil,” Nov. 21). Tons of words, many…
Is New Times catering to an extremist for more readers?
Extremist views, similar to those of Gale McNeeley, have cost Democrats the election (“Impose cease-fire now,” Nov. 7). His views on Israel and the conflict in the Middle East are extreme and do not reflect the views of a majority of Americans. Unlike others who have written commentaries with similar points of view, his commentary…
Don’t be afraid to talk about climate change on Thanksgiving
It’s drizzling as I write this, just before Thanksgiving. Maybe we’ll have a “normal” rainfall year! Maybe we can set aside our perpetual worries about another drought cycle. As the hills “green up,” we can worry less about wildfires erupting in our hillsides and destroying us, as we saw in the Mountain Fire in Ventura…
The Paso Robles School Board has started its work to address racism in classrooms
After an emotional conversation in October about worsening racial slurs in classrooms, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District is beginning its efforts to address racism and incorporate more inclusivity into its systems and campus culture. “What you allow will continue,” district Assistant Superintendent Erin Haley told the school board at a meeting on Nov. 12,…
Choices and harassment
San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Michael Frye threw the book at former Cardinal Barbershop owner Nathan Abate. Almost nine years for sexual assault—that’s nothing compared to the lifetime of trauma his victims need to slog through—but it’s the max. The max! Finally. A serial sexual assaulter gets what’s coming to him, although his…
Community Foundation of SLO County sponsors free Noon Year’s Eve concert
The Santa Maria Valley Senior Citizens Club and Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department are partnering to co-host a free New Year’s Eve celebration, albeit about 12 hours earlier than most parties designed to ring in 2025. The Noon Year’s Eve Celebration Dance will take place at the Elwin Mussell Senior Center in Santa Maria…
SLO County judge sentences Atascadero barber to over eight years in prison for sexual assault
Atascadero barber and convicted rapist Nathan Abate received the maximum sentence allowed under California law—eight years and eight months—after a San Luis Obispo County jury found him guilty of sexually assaulting two women between 2009 and 2012. Presiding Judge Michael Frye’s Nov. 19 sentence also requires Abate to register as a sex offender for life…
Local student choirs unite for Cal Poly’s festive holiday recital
Cal Poly Choirs presents its annual Holiday Kaleidoscope Concert at the Performing Arts Center in SLO on Friday, Dec. 6, at 7:30 p.m. The college’s four student choirs will be accompanied by members of the Cal Poly Symphony and additional guest artists. The event will also feature performances from the Cabrillo High School student choir…
Mistura in SLO celebrates its 10th anniversary with the launch of an elevated Chef’s Table
Join the Allegrettas To secure a spot at Mistura’s Chef’s Table—or for standard reservations or private dining at the downtown San Luis Obispo restaurant, located at 570 Higuera St.—visit misturarestaurants.com. Hours are Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m.…
Wicked offers a dazzling Wicked Witch of the West origin story
WICKED: PART I What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Bay, Colony, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10 Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights) directs this musical featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman that’s…
My Old Ass
What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Amazon Prime Writer-director Megan Park (The Fallout) helms this irreverent coming-of-age story about avowed lesbian Elliott (Maisy Stella), who’s on the cusp of her 18th birthday and about to leave her family’s cranberry farm to head to college in Toronto. She and her two besties, Ro…
Allan Hancock, Cuesta College hope to take advantage of Proposition 2
California’s community colleges such as Allan Hancock College and Cuesta College rely on bond measures to help fund campus enhancements, anything from adding new buildings to renovating existing structures. And in the Nov. 5 election, voters tentatively approved Proposition 2, a statewide $10 billion bond intended for public schools and community colleges. Public schools would…
Disclaimer
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Apple TV-Plus Famed Mexican auteur Alfonso Cuarón (Y tu mama también, Gravity, Roma) helms this miniseries based on Renée Knight’s 2015 novel about documentarian Catherine Ravenscroft (Cate Blanchett), who receives a mysterious novel she believes features her as a central character portrayed as a heartless philanderer.…
Meet Grinch knockoff the Green Grouch on Dec. 8 and 15 to raise money for Operation Santa
You’ll have two chances to be photographed with Grinch knockoff the Green Grouch this holiday season, and if you do, you’ll help generate funds for Operation Santa, which benefits children and seniors in the care of San Luis Obispo County’s Department of Social Services. Banshee Beauty Company hosts the event at 570 Higuera St., San…
16th Annual New Times Music Awards winners for 2024
The New Times Music Awards showcase at Rod & Hammer Rock was a rousing success on Nov. 22, but in case you missed it, this year’s results are listed below. Best Album Sadie Jasper, Her Kingdom Come Ynana Rose, Under a Cathedral Sky Azere Wilson, The Rock the Roots the Lean on Me Best Songwriter…
Cheryl Strahl’s images of cowboy country hang at The Photo Shop in SLO
Go West Cheryl Strahl’s exhibition Capturing the Magic of Cowboy Country is up at The Photo Shop in downtown San Luis Obispo through Jan. 15. For hours and more information, visit photoshopslo.com. To check out more of Strahl’s work, visit cheryl-strahl.pixels.com. Find Strahl’s images and others on Christmas cards at Art Central in SLO—proceeds from…
Atascadero nonprofit recording studio The Rec Hub lets young people record on the cheap
When you’re a young, upcoming performer, trying to get your career going, it’s essential to record some songs as a calling card to potential venues and booking agents, but going into a recording studio is typically expensive, and younger bands don’t always have the experience to make the most efficient use of their studio time.…
Cal Poly merges with Cal Maritime following CSU trustees’ vote
To help save California State University’s maritime school from its financial and enrollment crisis, it’s officially merging with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to become Cal Poly Maritime Academy. The California State University (CSU) board of trustees voted to adopt the merger on Nov. 21. The two universities will begin operating as a single institution…
Paso Robles City Council approved $4 million for the construction of seven new pickleball courts at Sherwood Park
New pickleball courts are paddling their way to Paso Robles after the City Council approved a $4 million project for Sherwood Park. In a 4-1 vote on Nov. 19, the council awarded a $3.3 million contract to JJ Fisher Construction as part of approving a little more than $4 million total for seven new pickleball…
New hotel, car wash proposal passes Arroyo Grande Planning Commission
Arroyo Grande is making more room for tourists with the Planning Commission’s unanimous approval of a car wash and hotel on a 1.57-acre vacant lot. The triangular site on the corner of North Halcyon Road and El Camino Real bound by Faeh Avenue to the south is composed of three separate parcels zoned as highway…
