Cover Story
Supporting dreams
The earliest memories Erik Garcia has of growing up in California are of living in Oakland and then later in Modesto. He remembers going to flea markets where his dad had a stand selling a number of goods. “We tried to have our own business, but obviously like with most businesses there are hit and…
American Made
American Made What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? MatineeWhat’s it worth, Glen? MatineeWhere’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 Doug Liman (Swingers, The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow) directs Tom Cruise as Barry Seal, a pilot contracted by the CIA to run drugs in the late-’70s and ’80s. The screenplay by Gary…
Another round!
Here’s the big question, friends: Would you like some cheese in your drink? Heck yes! Try Paso Robles-based Hatch Rotisserie’s new drink, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant: Vodka, basil eau de vie, roma tomato water, smoked salt, cracked pepper, and—the whopper—pimento cheese-stuffed olives (Follow @thehatchrotisserie on Instagram for more ridiculously appealing offerings) … Krobar Craft…
Bingeable: Manhunt: Unabomber
When? 2017 What’s it rated? M Where’s it available? Streaming on Amazon, Discovery Channel The true crime genre is currently experiencing a renaissance in movies and television. From documentaries like Netflix’s Making a Murderer and HBO’s The Jinx, to fictional television shows like The People v. O.J. Simpson, there’s a stunning amount of excellent media…
Be well, drink good wine, stay in touch
Longtime former host of The Prairie Home Companion Garrison Keillor has always reminded us to “be well, do good work, and keep in touch.” Well, this column is my way of keeping in touch, and in my book, there is no “gooder” work than that of farming the best wine grapes around. Once harvest subsides,…
Seize the future
By now, you may have heard about Community Choice Energy (CCE) programs. CCE programs offer residents and businesses a choice of who they purchase their electricity from. CCE programs also empower local governments to control electricity purchasing decisions for the benefit of their communities rather than ceding that control to the state’s investor-owned utilities. There…
Film listings 10/5/17 through 10/12/17
American Assassin What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? Sunset Drive-In Pick Directed by Michael Cuesta (L.I.E., Roadie, Kill the Messenger) and based on a character in Vince Flynn’s spy series, this first film in what clearly hopes to become a franchise is the origin story for counterterrorism operative Mitch Rapp…
Balanced trade for a green economy
I agree with David Deick in his enthusiastic commentary (“Get real,” Sept. 28); we need to be working now on a post-fossil-fuel economy. But whether California can go far enough on this road without national policy changes is questionable. We are already seeing excellent steps forward at the California state and local level. Alternative powered…
Paso women faced terrifying ordeal at Vegas concert shooting
“We were in the front row when the shooting started.” Paso Robles resident Amanda Bean was one of thousands of country music fans who attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas expecting a fun filled weekend of food, drink, and country music. Instead, Bean and her friend, Erika Taylor, found themselves running for…
Housing reality
Once again, I find myself reading about the affordable housing challenge in SLO County (“The housing predicament,” Sept. 28) with lots of data presented confirming the problem, lots of chatter from our supervisors echoing concern, yet no real solutions presented. That’s because, in reality, there are no solutions and many just don’t want to say…
Grover Beach and Cambria consider offering insurance to council and board members
For many Americans, the issue of health insurance has become something of a roller coaster ride. Between multiple failed attempts by the Republican-led Congress to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, and recent calls from some Democrats and their constituents for a government-run single-payer health care system, no one seems to be sure what…
Two wrongs don’t make a right
The firestorm that has broken out between President Trump and the National Football League (NFL) over our nation’s flag and the national anthem only proves one thing: Two wrongs don’t make a right. How can both sides be so wrong? Last season, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started it by taking a knee during…
SLO kicks Columbus Day to the curb for Indigenous Peoples Day
San Luis Obispo will now recognize Indigenous Peoples Day instead of Columbus Day on Oct. 9, joining a growing number of U.S. cities that have distanced themselves from a holiday that many say celebrates a symbol of Native American genocide and oppression. The city made it official on Oct. 3 with a proclamation at its…
Paso Robles does care about animals
When my wife and I moved into our first house in Paso Robles we were adopted by a cat. The beautiful black-and-white feline was sitting on the back porch of our new home. We dubbed him “Freebie.” Freebie became a part of our lives for nearly 20 years. During that time he totally used all…
SLO County and Phillips 66 settle oil train lawsuit
Environmental activist groups are celebrating a win after oil giant Phillips 66 and SLO County entered into a settlement agreement in connection with a lawsuit over the company’s controversial plans to build a rail spur at their refinery on the Nipomo Mesa. The settlement comes after a years-long fight over the proposed rail spur, which…
A good laugh
New Times’ article about SLO County deciding not to switch to a new election model (“Get out to vote,” Sept. 28) made me laugh! I could hardly believe what I was reading. A local Republican leader opposes vote-by-mail because it might, “… disenfranchise … minorities … .” I don’t care what anyone else says, local…
Cambria chooses a new director to join the board
After special meetings and a total of six hours the Cambria Community Services District board finally swore in a new member on Oct. 3. With the exception of board director Harry Farmer, who abstained from the vote, the remaining three board members—director Jim Bahringer, Vice President Greg Sanders, and President Amanda Rice—voted in favor of…
Blight fight!
Editor’s note: This Shredder column was edited to more accurately reflect State Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham’s rating from the NRA. Good evening fight fans! What a bout we have for you tonight! In this corner, weighing in at 12 statewide members—including six elected officials and six members appointed from the public—is an “independent, quasi-judicial state agency”…
OperaSLO brings the splendor of Puccini to production of ‘Madama Butterfly’
Opera in SLO OperaSLO presents its production of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly on Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. and 15 at 2 p.m. at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center’s Harman Hall, 1 Grand Ave., SLO. For more information, visit pacslo.org or operaslo.org. In the world of stagecraft and classical music, nothing quite meets…
Paso mayor writes to Supervisor Peschong on affordable housing
The city of Paso Robles will ask the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors to consider dedicating an annual portion of city-generated property taxes to help fund affordable housing projects in Paso. On Oct. 3, the Paso City Council unanimously authorized the submittal of a formal letter to SLO County 1st District Supervisor John…
What was you favorite summer movie?
Chris Bedford high school student “IT.” Esperanza Mincitar Cuesta College student “The Mummy. I liked how it had a little bit of humor in it.” Steve Snyder SLO resident “All of the action movies.” Spider-Man friendly neighborhood superhero “Definitely Spider-Man: Homecoming. It’s great. You should all go see it.”
Swiss typeface designer Nina Stössinger brings her work to Cal Poly
What the hell-vetica The exhibit Type Design: A Journey features the work of Brooklyn based typeface designer Nina Stössinger and is on display at Cal Poly’s University Art Gallery through Oct. 20. Visit artgallery.calpoly.edu for more information. When it’s done well, Nina Stössinger’s line of work is something people take for granted, but it’s the…
Cayucos moves forward on high school dilemma
After years of debate the Cayucos Elementary School District is making headway on the issue of where to send its students after eighth grade. At the Sept. 27 meeting, the district board received a full report on the viable directions that the district could go in, prepared by an independent consultant, the Ochoa and Moore…
A theory about violent protesters
Antifa is all the buzz these days and the press is chittering with speculation wondering which is worse, the anti-fascist left or the white supremacist movement that has taken such firm hold on so many of the nation’s institutions. This is maddening not only because it promotes yet another false equivalency but also because it…
The woman behind the castle
So much is out there about William Randolph Hearst, but what about his right-hand woman, Julia Morgan, who designed his castle? Take a deep dive into the life of the architect behind an iconic Central Coast landmark with a viewing of the play Becoming Julia Morgan by Belinda Taylor at the Monday Club in San…
Fall wine harvest
Combine the Central Coast’s greatest qualities, the ocean and vineyards, and you’ve got the SLO Wine Country Association’s Harvest on the Coast. The event is a weekend-long festivity where locals and wine enthusiasts alike can enjoy all the varieties that the Central Coast has to offer. Going into its 27th year now, executive director of…
Mad fun
Dust off that old fedora and get your best Don Draper impression ready for a night out on the town on Oct. 14 starting at 8 p.m. at Luis Wine Bar in SLO for a MadMen – ’60s Glam Party. Perhaps you’re more of a Pete Campbell? Or would you dress up as Joan Holloway…
The great pumpkin, Charlie Brown!
The temps may still be in the 80s, but all the fun of fall will soon be here on the Central Coast. Get your autumnal fix Oct. 19 at the 12th Annual Great Pumpkin and Scarecrow Contest. This free event is from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mission Plaza in SLO. There will be giant…
Stay, dine, and hang at the new Cass House Cayucos
Flavor’s in the house Cass House Cayucos is located at 222 North Ocean Ave. in Cayucos. Community nights are held each Monday from 4 to 8:30 p.m. Lunch is served Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., and dinner is served Thursday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., but the restaurant closes…
Brats, beer, and bounce houses
Bring on the beer There’s still time to get boozy and feel German in SLO County at the Los Osos/Baywood Park Oktoberfest and Car Show on Oct. 29. Visit lobpchamber.org for more information. North County got the autumn memo just in time. It’s in the high 70s and breezy as my boyfriend and I drive…
Seasonal solutions
Is it time for ugly sweaters yet? National Vodka Day (Oct. 4) got me falling in love with Moscow Mules all over again, but then I remembered there’s a fun little drink called the Yule Mule, a twist on the old classic with cranberry and lime juice. Now I can’t stop thinking about making a…
Fleetwood Mac members Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie play Vina Robles Amphitheatre on Oct. 15
Genius and dysfunction seem to intertwine in Fleetwood Mac, arguably one of the most successful bands in rock history. They’ve sold more than 100 million records including 40 million copies of Rumours (1977), the eighth-highest-selling album of all time, but the band was just as famous for the duel relationship flameouts of John and Christine…
Yummy vibes
Ah, to be young and in wine: Halter Ranch’s Vineyard Manager, Lucas Pope, has been named to Wine Enthusiast’s coveted 40-Under-40 List. Plus, he’s the very first vineyard manager to ever make the cut! Congrats, Lucas! Winemakers shouldn’t get all the glory … SLOVeg CSA boxes are so vibrant this time of year! This fall…
