Cover Story
Difficult discussions: Though rumors cloud conversations about the local Black Lives Matter movement, some protesters reach out for understanding
The city of San Luis Obispo faced several challenges in the first week of June: COVID-19 concerns, temporary business closures, and the impact of George Floyd’s death. At the time, Rose Steen said she and others participating in local protests against police brutality in solidarity with the national Black Lives Matter movement felt betrayed by…
Carbajal leads forum to discuss local agriculture during pandemic and beyond
U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) brought both local and state agricultural leaders together on Sept. 11 for a Virtual Ag Forum. The H-2A guest worker program and Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) were among the hot topics discussed. Carbajal said that CFAP will give a total of $16 billion in direct payments to growers…
North County rally commemorates victims of 9/11
Throughout the United States, Sept. 11 is a day for many to reflect, celebrate a lost loved one, and honor first responders. In congruence with the country-wide sentiment, the North County Tea Party hosted a Commemorate 9/11 Rally: Giving a Voice to the Silent Majority on September 11 at the Faces of Freedom Memorial Park…
Nipomo skate park close to completing its funding goal
Skateboarders in South San Luis Obispo County could finally see a skatepark next year, as the county is closing in on its $1.5 million goal for the Nipomo skate park project. At the Sept. 1 SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting, the board authorized the Department of Parks and Recreation to submit an application for…
Paso Robles school district trustee in the hot seat for opinion piece
During the public comment at the virtual Paso Robles Joint Unified School District board meeting on Sept. 8, some community members raised concerns over a board member’s published opinion piece claiming systemic racism is a myth. Resident and Paso Robles High School alumna Shannon Gonzalez told the board that she was incredibly “disgusted and disappointed…
Cuesta trustees table equity and anti-racism resolution, leading to student criticism
Cuesta College students are calling for the school to take a stronger stance against racism after board members recently postponed approving a resolution that would have affirmed the board’s commitment to equity and anti-racism. At a meeting on Sept. 2, the Cuesta College Board of Trustees discussed a proposed resolution that would have required the…
Morro Bay author and artist Marvin Sosna displays abstract expressionist works at the Cambria Center for the Arts
If Marvin Sosna’s name sounds familiar, it might be because you’ve read one of his many books, or maybe an article in a newspaper or periodical, or perhaps a poem or three. Sosna, 93, spent 40 years in journalism as a reporter and editor of daily and weekly papers in New Jersey and California. He…
Freedom 467 miles away: How a quest for a roller coaster ended up a delicious memory
Bright lights, big portions In Las Vegas, every casino has a signature restaurant or two. For Circus Circus, it’s The Steak House. But we were encouraged to try Peppermill on the Vegas Strip: a restaurant and lounge open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and serving ginormous foofy drinks and insane portions. Visit the website at…
Art Center Morro Bay’s new exhibit showcases sculptures by Larry Le Brane
The Morro Bay Art Association presents Out on a Whim, a new multimedia exhibition highlighting works by local artist Larry Le Brane, which opens on Sept. 17 and is scheduled to run through Nov. 2. Described as imaginative, whimsical, and unique in press materials, the exhibit highlights Le Brane’s blending of traditional art media with…
ARTS Obispo launches Virtual Open Studios Art Tour
Starting Sept. 22, ARTS Obispo will premiere its Virtual Open Studios Art Tour, a new website to showcase artworks by nearly 100 different local artists and artisans. Previews and participating artist announcements can be found on ARTS Obispo’s Facebook page (facebook.com/artsobispo). Until in-person Art After Dark events can safely resume, ARTS Obispo will also hold…
Attorney files to suppress evidence in SLO police chief’s lost gun search
The defense attorney for a woman charged with child endangerment last year after the San Luis Obispo Police Department (SLOPD) conducted a warrantless search of her home during its hunt for Chief Deanna Cantrell’s missing weapon filed a motion in court to suppress all evidence from the search. The July motion—which was followed by a…
The King of Staten Island offers a poignant and funny look at arrested development
THE KING OF STATEN ISLAND What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Redbox Director and co-writer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Funny People) delivers a poignant dramedy about directionless 24-year-old Scott Carlin (Pete Davidson, who also co-wrote the screenplay with David…
SLO mayor race pits downtown store owner against incumbent Harmon
The words “unprecedented” and “challenging” came up 11 times during a Sept. 4 New Times interview with San Luis Obispo Mayor Heidi Harmon. Having recently kicked off her reelection campaign, Harmon is asking voters for a third term in office—this time amid a pandemic, a crippled economy, and ongoing racial justice protests that have put…
The Vow
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2020 Where’s it showing? HBO HBO’s new series The Vow is an in-depth look at NXIVM and its leader Keith Raniere’s rise and fall as he indoctrinated, brainwashed, and recruited members of his self-described “multi-level marketing company.” Behind the guise of betterment and self-improvement, Raniere’s reign of terror left families…
Tianna Arata sits down with New Times prior to first court hearing
Hundreds of people showed up at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse on Sept. 3 to support local activist and protest leader Tianna Arata during her first virtual court appearance. On Sept. 2, SLO County District Attorney Dan Dow charged her with 13 misdemeanors—including unlawful assembly, disturbing the peace, six counts of obstruction of a…
Lying and Stealing
What’s it rated? R When? 2019 Where’s it showing? HBO and Amazon Prime Though a box office bomb, this slick crime caper has a lot going for it. Directed and co-written by Matt Aselton (Gigantic), it follows Ivan (Theo James), an art thief trying to pay off his dead father’s gambling debts to Dimitri (Fred…
Grover Beach City Council candidates share their hopes for the future
Nearly a dozen City Council and mayoral candidates will be on the ballot in Grover Beach this November, and incumbent City Councilmember Karen Bright is squaring off against a number of them. That includes 16-year resident of Grover Beach and California native Dan Rushing. Rushing, who is endorsed by the SLO County Democratic Party, worked…
Reach 2 Teach Initiative is filling Wi-Fi gaps for Arroyo Grande students
Ever since Tom Kosta founded Peak WiFi with the goal of bringing speedy wireless internet to rural areas in SLO County, he’s hoped to one day use his company and profits to help cultivate an interest in technology among kids on the Central Coast. He generally envisioned—and still does—expanding his commercial facility and creating a…
Keep OHVs out
Recently, at one of the South County Chambers of Commerce meetings, members seemed to be rallying in support of an individual member who claimed he had lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in business since the beaches were closed to off-highway vehicles (OHVs). Meanwhile, parking lots that usually had been nearly empty at the end…
I’ve had enough
Some wealthy, presumably white rancher has put up a hilarious yet disgusting billboard along Highway 101 south of Arroyo Grande. The billboard asks, “Had enough? Vote Republican.” Well sir, in fact, yes, I have had enough. I’ve had enough of a sociopathic, white supremacist, misogynist, moron pretending to be the president of the United States.…
More than embarrassed
Thank you for your recent article on Tianna Arata (“Protest symbol,” Aug. 27). I used to be proud of SLO. Now, I’m embarrassed. While the anti-racist outrage throughout the country (particularly here in SLO), is hopeful, I remain perplexed and disillusioned as more is learned about the arrest of Tianna Arata and the charges brought…
Vote Gray, Pierson
We are totally in support of the candidacy of both Tom Gray and David Pierson as directors for the Cambria Community Services District. Both candidates possess the insight, knowledge, intellect, and calm demeanor to do an outstanding job. Both candidates support the effort of the district to secure a permanent alternate water source, which we…
Keep the dunes free
For decades, the Oceano Beach and dunes have been used for vehicular recreation and ATVs. These last five months, since the shelter-at-home order, a vehicle-free Oceano Beach has been a blessing for our community and entire South County. State Parks is completing a Public Works Plan (PWP) for the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area,…
Myth busting
Feeling virtuous today? Before you answer, peruse some “everybody knows to be true” myths. Let’s start with President Franklin Roosevelt and his New Deal. We all “know” that he was a man of the people and his administration saved the economy. Well, if you were a Black American, not so much so. New Deal benefits,…
Shameless
Wouldn’t you know it? Politicians have come up with yet another way to raise money this year. You can gift it to them for their birthdays! Just like grandma used to do. San Luis Obispo District Attorney Dan Dow—who will stay comfortably seated in his pastor’s throne until he’s up for election again in 2022—turned…
Get out of your funk: Recently released albums to help you forget about your latest apocalypse 2020 feelings
Not to be depressing, but it’s hard not to be intermittently depressed. With more fires smoking California out due to a second record heat wave in less than a month, a renewed healthy fear of the great outdoors, plus COVID-19 keeping all of the fun indoor stuff shut up tight, what the hell are we…
