Cover Story
Take a hike: Outdoors 2021
COVID-19 has forced people to stay home or get outside, which is why we thought it would be a good time to introduce our Outdoors issue to readers. Staff Writer Kasey Bubnash writes about Hipcamp as an alternative to COVID-19 closed state and local camping spots, Assistant Editor Peter Johnson looked into why bear and…
Older adults, Latino residents are disproportionately dying from COVID-19 in Santa Barbara County
While young and middle-aged adults make up the most COVID-19 cases in Santa Barbara County, deaths are highest among elderly residents, according to recently released data. Latinos and Hispanics contract, are hospitalized, and die from COVID-19 at disproportionate rates. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department’s epidemiology team recently released the COVID-19 demographics report, which…
As COVID-19 numbers tick down in SLO County, officials encourage more testing for reopening
San Luis Obispo County received more good COVID-19 news on Feb. 23. Local case numbers continue to decline and, if they hold for another week, could nudge the county into the state’s less restrictive red tier. But there’s one declining metric that the SLO County Public Health Department says it’d like to see go back…
Paso Robles starts process for sewer rate increases
On Feb. 16, the Paso Robles City Council unanimously approved starting the process to increase sewer rates for the next five years. Following the state’s Proposition 218 requirements, the community will be notified of proposed sewer increases via mail and have an opportunity to voice their support or opposition at a public hearing slated for…
Coastal Commission staff recommend elimination of Oceano Dunes off-roading by 2026
Off-roading could be eliminated entirely in the Oceano Dunes by Jan. 1, 2026, if the California Coastal Commission votes to approve staff recommendations outlined in a report released on Feb. 18. In the report, which will be discussed further at a hearing on March 18, Coastal Commission staff detail their proposals for the future of…
Weather-related shipping delays lead to vaccine appointment cancellations
Santa Barbara County’s COVID-19 vaccination effort is feeling the effects of severe weather events around the country this week, as a shipping delay forced the county to cancel about 800 appointments scheduled for Feb. 17, 671 appointments on Feb. 18, and 522 on Feb. 19. “The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has been notified…
How To with John Wilson
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2020- Where’s it showing? HBO Max John Wilson’s brand of comedy showcases his anxious, socially awkward self as he attempts to show his audience how to accomplish seemingly mundane tasks like making small talk, splitting a check, or making the perfect risotto. Our view is what John sees, his handheld…
Energy and emotion: Morro Bay Art Association’s Flower Power exhibit flows from erotic to peaceful, chaotic to introspective
Connect View the Morro Bay Art Association’s Flower Power exhibit at the Morro Bay Art Center through April 5. The gallery at 835 Main St. in Morro Bay is open from noon to 4 p.m. daily. Check out artcentermorrobay.org for more info. A gigantic lotus blooms in shades of pink. Oversized petals crafted from oil…
The Dig
What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Netflix Simon Stone (The Daughter) directs this historical biographical drama about an important 1939 archaeological excavation of Sutton Hoo, written for the screen by Moira Buffini from John Preston’s novel. If you’re looking for a history lesson, this one plays a little fast and loose with…
Coastal Commission denies relocation of Ontario Ridge Trail
Local attorney and activist Tarren Collins had just recently sworn off volunteer work to focus more on her own personal life in 2014 when she came across recently installed fences and “no trespassing” signs blocking a portion of her favorite hike at Ontario Ridge. A steep, straight slope above Cave Landing connects the Shell Beach…
Protester’s attorney accuses CHP and SLO County DA of lying
Newly released drone footage from a July 21, 2020, protest showing the altercation between a driver and protesters on Highway 101 shows a different side than what the California Highway Patrol (CHP) and SLO County District Attorney’s Office provided to the community and in the cases against seven of the protesters. The footage, which is…
Cambria Film Festival announces winners of 2021 competition
On Feb. 7, the Cambria Film Festival hosted a virtual awards ceremony to announce the winning films of this year’s international competition. The festival’s panel of judges made its selections from nearly 400 feature-length and short films submitted from around the world. Best Short Film was awarded to In Tune, a French short directed by…
Cal Poly hosts virtual Q-and-A with athlete and author Michael Phelps
Cal Poly’s ASI Events will host a special Zoom webinar, A Conversation with Michael Phelps, on Feb. 24, at 7 p.m. This virtual program will include a moderated discussion and a Q-and-A with Phelps. Best known as a competitive swimmer, Phelps authored No Limits and Beneath the Surface and recently served as an executive producer…
SLO council continues tense meeting reviewing police use of tear gas
The San Luis Obispo City Council voted on Feb. 16 to continue its discussion about local law enforcement’s use of tear gas against Black Lives Matter protesters in the city last June—following an emotional meeting that lasted until close to midnight and included scathing public comments about police officers’ conduct. The council discussion—slated to pick…
Cal Poly music major Will Chant releases a dreamy new indie folk song
Popular music has a long history of songs about driving, from The Beatles’ “Drive My Car” (1965) to Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty” (1977) to Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” (1988) to Wilco’s “Passenger Side” (1995) and on and on. Driving seems to call to many songwriters, most recently Cal Poly music major Will Chant, a…
Time for gender equity
I wake up to the sound of crying just as the sun is peeking through the curtain. I was up three times in the night for different reasons: one kid wet the bed, another had a nightmare, followed by my now predictable 2 a.m. bout of anxiety. After comforting multiple children, I deal with yesterday’s…
Violent concerns
In his opinion piece, “Selective indignation” (Feb. 11), John Donegan tries to equate Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests/riots and the Make America Great Again (MAGA) protest/riots/insurrection (yes, it was an insurrection). He also tries to convince readers that the violent insurrectionists imitated the BLM rioters. Let’s look at this again. First, the BLM protests: The…
Grow up!
The case against the protesters who took to Highway 101 in July 2020 and had some, umm, interactions with motorists keeps going from bad to worse. It’s like a bad TV police drama you can’t pull your eyes away from, only nothing heinous occurred. No one was murdered. No one was permanently maimed. No one…
Thanks, SLO County
Thanks to an outpouring of generosity from the community during this past holiday season, The Salvation Army was able to assist hundreds of needy families and individuals in San Luis Obispo County. Our volunteer bell-ringers deserve special acknowledgment for safely showing up during a pandemic to greet people and accept donations. We also want to…
The Siren takes over food, drink, and fun at Dairy Creek Golf Course
Golf and drink Find your way to Dairy Creek Golf Course, located at 2990 Dairy Creek Road in San Luis Obispo. The Siren El Chorro is currently open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Visit thesirenelchorro.com for more info, to check out…
A better kind of isolation: Amid closures at regional and state parks, local Hipcamps offer respite to those looking to get out and get away
Happy campers Hipcamp is an app and website that allows property owners to rent out their land to campers. Check it out at hipcamp.com. Other camping options include SLO County facilities, which opened to all campers on Feb. 4. Check out the available sites at slocountyparks.com/camp. And Santa Barbara County parks camping information is available…
Rocks for the win
Before the pandemic hit, Nipomo resident Lynn Borges had an abundant social and work life. Despite her age—she describes herself only as “old, old, old”—Borges kept herself busy with two part-time jobs, attended art classes through an adult education program twice a week, and she’d often spend afternoons with her grandkids after picking them up…
Habitat crossover: Bears are a growing issue at Lopez Lake—is COVID-19 camping to blame?
It became a near nightly occurrence last summer. As the bustling, sold-out campgrounds at Lopez Lake fell to a hush in the wee hours of the mornings, American black bears would lumber onto the premises in search of food—scraps on the ground, open bags of trash, or coolers left outside. “The campers are the big…
Change your views: The pandemic pushed residents outside and onto local trails
Trail mix Check out the SLO County Parks and Recreation Department’s trail map at gis.slocounty.ca.gov/parks/#/parks-trails-map for information about local hiking trails. For general county park and hiking information, visit slocountyparks.com. Ask any SLO County resident what they love most about living on the Central Coast, and their response will likely point to the region’s vast…
Palmer paints a path to redemption
PALMER What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Apple TV Director Fisher Stevens (Just a Kiss) brings screenwriter Cheryl Guerriero’s drama to Apple TV. After 12 years in prison, Eddie Palmer (Justin Timberlake), makes his way back his Louisiana hometown and to Vivian…
