Cover Story
The $78 million ticket: An elderly Paso Robles resident is stuck in the middle of a legal tug-of-war over his lotto fortune
Janice Watson was entering the Albertsons in Paso Robles to run a routine errand on Nov. 3, 2011, when an old man approached her and whispered that he had something to tell her. His name was Charles Hairston. The then 82-year-old Army veteran was a familiar face for Watson. She’d known him for many years,…
Memphis-based singer-songwriter Valerie June plays the Fremont Theater on Dec. 2
If you came off the road into a desolate town and happened onto a hole-in-the-wall juke joint, your dream would be to find Valerie June on stage, guitar (or banjo or ukulele) in hand, laying down her mix of old-school folk, blues, gospel, soul, country, Appalachian, and bluegrass sounds. The multi-instrumentalist born in Jackson but…
Pay it back, pay it forward
If you’ve driven south on Higuera out of San Luis Obispo recently, you have undoubtedly seen the major construction underway at the Octagon Barn Center. It’s been hard to miss the roadwork that is widening Higuera for safer travel and creating a left turn lane into the barn site. The earthmovers working behind the barn…
‘Coco’ is a gorgeous, touching animated adventure for the whole family
COCO What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth, Anna? Full Price What’s it worth, Glen? Full Price Where’s it showing? Sunset Drive-In, Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10, Galaxy Lee Unkrich and Adrian Molina co-direct this animated adventure-comedy written by the directors and Jason Katz and Matthew Aldrich, about Miguel (voiced by Anthony Gonzalez), an aspiring…
Thoughtful reflection
I am having to ask myself if New Times giving Gary Wechter (“It’s OK to be a lefty,” Nov. 16) a forum was just a way to rile thinking individuals. Yes, I am familiar with free speech. I look to the media to present clear and well-defined issues. Wechter uses the term “lefty” as if…
Bingeable: Tin Star
When? 2017 What’s it rated? TV-14 Where’s it available? Amazon Prime Video Set in the stunningly beautiful Canadian Rockies, this British-Canadian crime drama created by Rowan Joffe (28 Weeks Later, The American, Before I Go to Sleep) focuses on new police chief Jim Worth (Tim Roth), who runs the tiny three-person department of the town…
Time to gang up on our county representatives
According to the recent New Times (“SLO reps to lobby for Diablo Canyon settlement at CPUC hearing,” Nov. 23), our “county representatives and elected officials” are ganging up to convince the California Public Utilities Commission to kick our county’s major employer out of town, thereby ridding our community of thousands of jobs and effectively banishing…
Film Listings 11/30/17 – 12/7/17
DADDY’S HOME What’s it rated? PG-13 Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas. Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old school, macho dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional dad…
Save people from cellphones
I decided to take our dog Whitney for a walk after a five-hour drive from Grover Beach to the city of El Cerrito. On this walk, I was startled by the sound of cars crashing behind us on the street. But to my surprise it was a solo vehicle that struck a center concrete divider.…
Wine for Napa
Let’s help in a big, big way: In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties, many SLOcals are looking for meaningful ways to contribute to the recovery effort. Answering the call to help, local leaders have joined forces to bring a culinary and wine experience not to be forgotten. Join…
Hypocrisy and privilege
I recently read a commentary by Londie Padelsky (“Cart without a horse,” Nov. 16). In it she talks about the sheer hypocritical approach of the SLO City Council on housing and building development. First, I want to thank her for her honesty. As a SLOcal, I’ve lived here since birth and now I can’t stand…
Drinky things
Obscure wine lovers rejoice! Access to hard-to-find, highly rated boutique wines is now available thanks to the Boutique Wine Sampler, a curated collection of six unique 375 ml bottles that showcase California’s best small-production and sought-after artisan wines. These wines are typically unavailable in retail stores due to their highly limited supply. The Boutique Wine…
More building!?
I read about how Cal Poly is planning to go ahead and build 400-plus houses, condos, apartments, or whatever they will be on that beautiful mountain on Grand Avenue, across from the 1,400-plus bed dorm already being built. Poly has so much more land to build on. It will be a crime defacing that mountain.…
Comfort cravings go!
Food coma ahead: There’s a new comfort food in town this winter, and it might make you fall asleep just reading about it (in a very, very good way). Woodstock’s Pizza is offering up a Too Loaded and So Baked pie topped with tater tots, house crema, and chives (1000 Higuera St., SLO) … Goddess…
Give thanks for Planned Parenthood
In this season of giving and thanks, I give thanks for Planned Parenthood. Because of its mission to deliver preventive care, Planned Parenthood is a vanguard for upward mobility—especially to those who otherwise would not have access to health coverage. By giving individuals control over their own childbearing decisions, Planned Parenthood has made it possible…
Nourishment
What does it mean to truly nourish through food? Does it mean your body or soul is happy? Does it mean your grandma or personal trainer is smiling? I’d argue it comes down to both. Greasy pizza nourishes the soul; plain kale nourishes the body. But neither is particularly satisfying in the end. Balance is…
Go fund it
What does the fox say? “I’m innocent, don’t shoot!” Oh wait! Too soon? Well, I apologize, but apparently that’s the case in Arroyo Grande if you’re a gray fox hanging out in the Village and harassing the chickens. At least it was because of whoever tattled to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services about…
Paso’s married mixologists share their secret to holiday bliss
Want more mixology magic? View the food and drink menus for Hatch Rotisserie Bar at hatchpasorobles.com and Fish Gaucho at fishgaucho.com, both located in downtown Paso Robles. Find out more about SLO Bitter Co. and where to find these bottles (great for gifting) at slobitterco.com. Think you know your significant other? Try to describe them…
What was your highlight from Thanksgiving weekend?
Hayden Hutcherson cashier “Going back home to Colorado to see my family.” Bernard Livingston baker “Making it to Temecula in one piece. It was an eight-hour drive, but I got to see my sister.” K.C. Kishineff barista “Getting to travel to Big Sur. My boyfriend’s family lives there.” Lauren Firth baker “Spending time with my…
SLOMA brings NYC artists to Central Coast
It’s been waitin’ for you Selections: NYC will be on display at the SLO Museum of Art through Dec. 29. Visit sloma.org for more information. Whenever William Carroll doesn’t know what to paint, he just takes a little walk. This works so well that the New York based artist has now walked all over each…
PG&E, SLO agencies challenge CPUC on Diablo Canyon shutdown plan
Last year, PG&E asked the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to approve a $1.76 billion ratepayer-funded decommission of the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant by 2025. On Nov. 8, to the dismay of PG&E and San Luis Obispo County officials, the CPUC announced plans to approve only $171.8 million for the shutdown—just 10 percent of…
Jan Brett’s ‘The Mermaid’ reimagines Goldilocks
Under the sea Jan Brett, author/illustrator of The Mermaid (and about 25 children’s books in total) will make an appearance at Barnes and Noble in downtown San Luis Obispo on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. Look for the big bus decked out in mermaid art. Visit janbrett.com for more information. Third time’s a charm right?…
An undocumented individual is barred from finding permanent housing, but a nonprofit is doing all it can to keep him off the street
Editor’s note: Lou’s name has been changed to protect his identity. Parked at a metal patio table, Lou is sitting in his motorized scooter. He leans all his weight on his right side and clears his throat with every other sentence he utters. “I really don’t know how I got to this point,” he said.…
Catch the Downtown SLO Holiday Parade Dec. 1
Start off the holiday season right with Downtown San Luis Obispo’s 42nd annual Holiday Parade on Dec. 1. Winding their way down Higuera Street, hundreds of participants will show off festive flair based on the 2017 theme “holiday hoedown.” Colorful floats, marching bands, carolers, and more will be competing for bragging rights in three categories:…
Trial begins for LA-area officer accused of abuse at Camp SLO
The trial of a Huntington Park police officer accused of abusing children at a disciplinary youth boot camp in 2015 began in SLO County Superior Court this week. Jury selection for the trial of Marissa Elizabeth Larios, 36, began on Nov. 27. Larios faces three misdemeanor charges in connection with her role at the Leadership…
Suspended Motion’s Aerial Winter Showcase premiers Dec.1 and 2
Want a seasonal show that’s a bit out of the ordinary? Enjoy high-flying entertainment with Suspended Motion’s Aerial Winter Showcase on Dec. 1 and 2. Dancers of all ages will demonstrate their aerial silk, aerial hoop, and contortion skills while flying in sync with your favorite holiday songs. Bring blankets and cozy up for this…
Supes set limits on marijuana industry in new county ordinance
San Luis Obispo County will be home to a maximum of 141 legal marijuana grows bigger than six plants next year, under a new land-use ordinance that will only allow cultivators who successfully registered with the county last year to apply for growing permits in 2018. After many months of discussion and rule tweaks, the…
Get crafty with DIY holiday wreaths at the Station SLO
Get creative and crafty with a wreath-making workshop in SLO on Dec 4. Instructor Courtney Mellblom, a local farmer and florist, will guide students through crafting their own holiday bouquets and arrangements. Inspired by her years of experience working with local fauna, Mellblom specializes in loose, organic pieces. This relaxing evening is being hosted by…
Third inmate this year dies in SLO County Jail
Amid an FBI investigation into recent deaths at the SLO County Jail, the SLO County Sheriff’s Office announced that another inmate died in custody Nov. 27. Sheriff’s officials said that the inmate, 62-year-old Russell Alan Hammer, died of massive pulmonary embolism likely caused by deep vein thrombosis, according to preliminary autopsy results. Hammer’s death marks…
Get up early for a tour of the Monterey Bay, humpback sightings, and a jellyfish bloom
Get a look You can book whale watching tours from up and down the Central Coast. The humpback whales are nearing the end of their migration and the time for blue and gray whale sightings is about to start. We took the Princess Monterey from the Fisherman’s Wharf in Monterey. Book a tour online at…
Hospice of SLO County gives you a chance to Light up a Life this holiday season
November and December are months that are filled with grocery lists for holiday dinners and department store shopping for gifts. But once you have a moment to sit down, you can take the time to remember a loved one who died years ago or was recently lost. Gracie Rey, events and outreach communications director for…
