Cover Story
Crime and punishment: As property thefts of things like catalytic converters increase, law enforcement blames zero bail
With California remaining open in spite of rising COVID-19 cases across the country, local police data indicates that crime is returning to pre-pandemic levels. Though complaints of property theft decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 and the years prior, it has increased so far in 2021. Reports of property theft in the city of San…
FLEX Performing Arts co-founders reflect on lifelong passions in dance while celebrating new studio’s grand opening
Studio tour Find out more about FLEX Performing Arts by calling (805) 904-4741 or visiting flexperformingarts.com. The studio is located at 1590 W. Grand Ave., Grover Beach. Local dancers and actors of all ages and skill levels are invited to “flex their muscles and point their toes” at a brand-new Grover Beach studio, FLEX Performing…
Safety a major concern for both sides of Morro stacks debate
When the 450-foot-tall stacks in Morro Bay were first constructed in the 1950s and ’60s, the purpose was to vent exhaust flow for the city’s now defunct power plant. But what was once a necessity, perhaps even an eyesore, evolved into an iconic landmark that some Morro Bay residents are fighting to keep. The city…
Coalesce Bookstore hosts book signing with J.P. Claypool, author of Finding Morro Bay
Local author J.P. Claypool will be signing copies of his book, Finding Morro Bay: Stories from the Sea, at the Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay on Saturday, Sept. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. This nonfiction book is described as a journalized collection of Claypool’s various experiences as a sailor, charter fisherman, and commercial fisherman.…
After Dayspring’s quiet exit, Natural Healing Center can still open its dispensary in SLO, but there’s a deadline
About a year before Helios Dayspring would plead guilty to felony charges of bribery and tax evasion, an attorney for the cannabis businessman sent an email to San Luis Obispo city officials. “Please be advised that Helios Dayspring has sold his interest in NHCSLO, LLC, to Valnette Garcia,” attorney Paul Ready wrote on Sept. 9,…
Marty Ross headlines upcoming comedy night at Judd Manor in San Miguel
Judd Manor in San Miguel hosts its next outdoor comedy night on Saturday, Sept. 18, at 8 p.m. Marty Ross, an 81-year-old comedian widely known for his acclaimed appearance on America’s Got Talent (season 15), is headlining the show, which also features Bay Area comedians Dhaya Lakshminarayanan and Carla Clay. James Judd, of NPR’s Snap…
Recent North County power outages caused by ‘overreacting’ anti-fire sensor, PG&E says
A recent spree of power outages in North San Luis Obispo County were caused by an “overreacting” new wildfire prevention feature that automatically shuts off power when a foreign object is detected in transmission lines, according to PG&E. A PG&E spokesperson addressed the unplanned outages at a Sept. 14 SLO County Board of Supervisors meeting.…
ARTery in Atascadero hosts paper-making workshop for children
Paper Making for Kids, an upcoming children’s workshop for ages 7 and older at the ARTery in Atascadero, takes place on Saturday, Sept. 18, from noon to 2 p.m. Participants of the class will make their own paper from scratch, using a variety of materials to create various textures. Admission to join the workshop is…
Grover Beach looks to increase its low vaccination rates
The rate of fully vaccinated Grover Beach residents is roughly 10 percent less than the county’s, according to San Luis Obispo County Public Health Department numbers from Sept. 7. “The city’s vaccination rate continues to be below the countywide average and Arroyo Grande and Pismo Beach and roughly equal to Oceano,” a Sept. 13 Grover…
The Card Counter is a dark meditation on guilt
THE CARD COUNTER What’s it rated? R When? 2021Where’s it showing? Palm Theatre of SLO What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Writer-director Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, American Gigolo, Affliction) helms this dark story about gambler William “Bill” Tell (Oscar Isaac), who’s haunted by his past as a U.S. military…
Arroyo Grande re-enters Central Coast Blue water project
After months of turmoil and uncertainty, the city of Arroyo Grande is officially back in the Central Coast Blue water project. On Sept. 14, the Arroyo Grande City Council voted unanimously to agree to new terms for the regional groundwater project—reviving its frayed partnership with Pismo Beach and Grover Beach. The new agreement—negotiated by city…
100 Foot Wave
What’s it rated? TV-14 When? 2021-present Where’s it showing? HBO Max Big wave surfing pioneer Garrett McNamara leads us on a journey through this six-part documentary series that details his decades-long quest to find and ride the world’s largest surfable wave, hoping to find a monster that is 100 feet or higher. His wife and…
Avila Pier makeover to start in early 2022
The Port San Luis Harbor District recently won California Coastal Commission approval to begin the much-awaited rehabilitation of the Avila Beach Pier. On Sept. 9, the commission approved the permit allowing Port San Luis to begin pier renovations after it turns in the final repair plans. Harbor Facilities Manager Chris Munson said they aim to…
Blood Red Sky
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2021 Where’s it showing? Netflix If you’re hungry for a new vampire flick, this lurid high-concept thriller from Germany will satiate your appetite for blood. Directed and co-written by Peter Thorwarth, it mixes the vampire, hijacking, and heist genres into a neat little mash-up with enough twists, thrills, and kills…
Heritage Day at Dana Adobe and Cultural Center keeps history alive
The Dana Adobe and Cultural Center held its Heritage Day on Sept. 11, a gathering celebrating the historic landmark and the mid-19th century Californio era that it signifies. “We’re trying to bring it back annually, because it’s really a big event where there’s reenactments and so many community groups that come together to celebrate,” Executive…
Scarecrow festival draws thousands to Cambria for a visual and culinary feast
Harvest happenings For more festival details or to purchase tickets to Salute to Scarecrows! A Starlit Celebration of Cambria on Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., visit cambriascarecrows.com. Follow the event organizers on Facebook @cambriascarecrows. The picturesque town of Cambria, with fewer than 6,000 residents, will see its population explode in October. Tens of…
Guitar master and singer-songwriter Gary Clark Jr. brings his Texas blues to the Avila Beach Golf Resort on Sept. 17
Four-time Grammy-winning musician Gary Clark Jr. is—in my book—a gritty, ultra cool retro bluesman and guitar star fusing old genres like blues, rock, and soul with elements of hip-hop. He has the same sort of juju Ben Harper had when he first came out of the gate. He embraces tradition but brings something new to…
Reckless action
I wish to thank Kathe Tanner for her reporting on the Cayucos Elementary School District board in her Sept. 9, 2021, article, “SLO County school district rescinds ‘Let Them Breathe’ resolution opposing face masks.” This article was published in both The Tribune and The Cambrian. As reported on, during the Sept. 8, 2021, Cayucos Elementary…
With deepest gratitude to community members
The disgraceful events that occurred on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at my home during the virtual Lucia Mar Unified School District board meeting are not what our community is about. Our community is about neighbors helping neighbors and wanting to heal and support each other. Thank you to all the students, staff, colleagues, dog walkers, and…
A ray of hope
I keep hoping that one of the smart people on the anti-Trump side of political discourse will come up with the ultimate argument to put Trump supporters in their place; something that will kill “the Big Lie” that keeps getting bigger. Republicans’ have weaponized the Constitution’s First Amendment, disregarding any attempt at truth, fully embracing…
CCE’s long journey
There are three things you need to know about the revolution in the way energy is produced and distributed in California after Assembly Bill 117 was voted into law in 2002. First, community choice aggregation (CCA) became the best tool available to California communities to ramp up local, renewable energy and cut greenhouse gas emissions.…
Sensitivity trigger
As North SLO County residents sweated in their hot, dark houses multiple times over the past couple of weeks wondering what the hell was up with the power they weren’t getting, PG&E was flying helicopters over their transmission lines desperately trying to figure out what the problem was. Turns out, it was all just a…
