Cover Story
Battle for control: Grover Beach’s mayoral race highlights city’s current division
Civil unrest at City Council meetings and a growing divide in the community mark a pivotal election year in Grover Beach as three candidates vie to become mayor. Current Mayor Karen Bright, Grover H2O spokesperson and former Mayor Debbie Peterson, current City Councilmember Robert Robert, and local business owner Kassi Dee sat down with New…
Nipomo Library welcomes experienced comedians and newbies to monthly improv group
On the second Saturday of each month, a local improv group invites the public to take part in a free improv class at the Nipomo Library. Described as a collective “that channels the power of comedy for charitable purposes,” Improv for Good will hold its next library meetup on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 2 to…
Grover Beach candidates discuss infrastructure needs, public comment
During a Sept. 17 candidate forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of San Luis Obispo County, Grover Beach City Council candidates told residents how they would raise money to fix streets and fund infrastructure projects. But a big topic of discussion was how candidates would ensure that citizens feel heard if they were…
Made in England: The Films of Powell and Pressburger celebrates the cinematic geniuses behind The Red Shoes and other iconic British films
MADE IN ENGLAND: THE FILMS OF POWELL AND PRESSBURGER What’s it rated? UnratedWhat’s it worth, Anna? Full priceWhat’s it worth, Glen? Full priceWhere’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo David Hinton (The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind) directs this documentary on the films of Emeric Pressburger and Michael Powell,…
SLO County Democratic and Republican parties talk campaign money
With election season in full swing, candidates, committees, and parties across California and in San Luis Obispo County are focused on boosting their coffers with monetary contributions from their supporters. Some more than others. According to the California Secretary of State website, the San Luis Obispo County Democratic Party raised $219,775 from Jan. 1, 2024,…
The Red Shoes
What’s it rated? Not rated When? Saturday through Sunday, Sept. 21-22, at 4 p.m.; Monday, Sept. 22, at 7 p.m. Where’s it showing? The Palm Theatre of San Luis Obispo Hans Christian Anderson knew how to spin a cautionary yarn, and this movie of the same name is no different. Is art worth dying for?…
SLO County DA’s Office charges former supervisor candidate with fraud and perjury
Once the write-in contender for the San Luis Obispo County 3rd District supervisor seat, Grover Beach resident Michelle Morrow must now contend with criminal charges stemming from her decision to run for the post. The District Attorney’s Office filed four charges against Morrow, 55, on Sept. 11 for voter registration fraud, submitting false nomination papers,…
Rebel Ridge
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer-director Jeremy Saulnier (Blue Ruin, Green Room) helms this good old-fashioned vigilante film about ex-Marine Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) who runs into trouble when he heads to the small town of Shelby Springs to bail out his cousin, Mike (C.J. LeBlanc), who’s arraigned on drug…
San Simeon Pier repairs underway after storm damage
The San Simeon Pier is starting reconstruction after being closed for nearly a year due to structural damage. “This is a full rehabilitation of the pier,” California State Parks SLO Coast District Superintendent Dan Falat said about the project that started at the pier on Sept. 16. Built by SLO County in 1957 for recreational…
SLO County hosted its first ‘I Voted’ sticker design contest for students grades 3–12
After holding its inaugural “I Voted” sticker competition for local students, the county announced its first winners and an honorable mention, whose designs will be available for voters this November at the polls. This year’s winners include Old Mission School third-grader Melanie Rathbun and San Luis Obispo High School senior Joanna Rawlings, with an honorable…
SLO County Board of Supervisors approves more offshore wind studies
Three offshore wind farm studies are in the works around SLO County after the Board of Supervisors voted to approve studies of the waterfront infrastructure of Port San Luis, the Cal Poly Pier, and Morro Bay. During its Sept. 10 meeting, the board agreed to use a $1 million state grant awarded to the county…
Safeguarding the public
There are two forms of democracy that empower California: representative democracy and direct democracy. In last week’s column (“Power play,” Sept. 12), the Shredder didn’t mention direct democracy, which has been around for more than a century—since 1911. In fact, California is the leading state in use of citizen initiatives, which gives voters the ability…
SLO drops impact fee waivers for affordable housing projects in favor of deferrals
The city of San Luis Obispo removed the option of waiving impact fees for developers engaged in creating affordable housing, replacing it with a deferral scheme and updating a 17-year-old resolution. “The city’s existing practice of granting impact fee deferrals helps to accelerate the production of below-market rate—that’s low income and below—units, especially those constructed…
Firstfruits Farm grows, distributes fresh produce to SLO County food pantries
Volunteer for good To learn more about Firstfruits Farm and how and when to volunteer, visit firstfruitsslo.org. Papery husks speckle the soil next to empty stalks. Yellowing in the sun between rows of melon and trellised cucumbers, they’re evidence of recently harvested corn. A quick glance toward the upper half of Firstfruits Farm reveals a…
Coastal Commission delays decision on Cambria motel project
Visions of a new 26-unit Moonstone motel on Cambria’s Burton Drive won’t come to fruition anytime soon after the Coastal Commission delayed the review of the motel’s construction and water use. Moonstone Hotel Properties owner Dirk Winter wants to reconstruct the former Brambles restaurant and gift shop Oliver’s Twist into a motel and received approval…
We desperately need projects like the Morro Bay energy storage facility
For some time now, California renewables’ share of the California market has stalled at around one quarter of annual consumption. Worse yet, due to ongoing expansion of renewable capacity (mostly solar), more and more energy is going to waste because the power could not be used at the time it was produced. Currently, the annual…
Shredder misunderstands Morro Bay’s Measure A-24
Shredder has gone bipolar. Last week’s column stated that elected officials “make decisions that will best serve their constituents” (“Power play,” Sept. 12). The SLO County Board of Supervisors and every city council in the county have endured tongue lashings from The Shredder for poor, biased, and underhanded votes. Scoldings have not been limited to…
The War Department?
Military forces used to be called “The War Department.” But that sounded too vivid, so they brought in the re-branders. Now, the United States with its 800-plus military bases around the world and constant war-making, uses the term “Defense Department.” Actual defense, however, (true security) would depend on diplomacy. Not war. Not genocide, murder, domination,…
The great divide
Like a dutiful little progressive, when Vice President Kamala Harris was crowned heir apparent, I was so elated that Democrats had a chance to keep the White House that I coughed up a meagre donation. Now the text messages won’t quit! “Team Harris-Walz: Shredder, did you see this email from Oprah Winfrey?” “Shredder, we’re at…
Hayes Carll & The Band of Heathens play BarrelHouse Brewing on Sept. 24
Good grief, do these two promotors have a lot of shows this week. I’m probably most excited about Hayes Carll & The Band of Heathens on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at BarrelHouse Brewing in Paso Robles (6 p.m.; all ages; $38.83 at goodmedicinepresents.com) with local singer-songwriter Joe Koenig opening. Carll’s an amazing songwriter and singer in…
Werewolf of Arroyo Grande is full of puns and one-liners that take us back to the ’80s
When’s the next full moon? Werewolf of Arroyo Grande will be playing at The Great American Melodrama located at 1863 Front St. in Oceano and will run until Nov. 19. For more information, visit americanmelodrama.com. The Great American Melodrama is known for its silly, audience-engaging, and lighthearted theater. If you haven’t had the opportunity to…
Cambria and SYV gear up for annual community scarecrow displays
Local businesses and groups in two Central Coast regions will be displaying unique scarecrow creations outside storefronts and other locations throughout the month of October. Both the Cambria Scarecrow Festival and Santa Ynez Valley Scarecrow Fest will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The two events invite their respective participants to create their own unique…
