Cover Story
The show must go on
It all started in 1999, one night over chardonnay in the theater in Cambria. One drink led to another and a few years later they were married on a gondola at the Venetian in Las Vegas. Today Rebecca Buckley is a widow in her 70s, but she still has her husband Jim Buckley’s legacy, the…
I stand by my opinion
OK, I was wrong on one point (“Speech limits,” Aug. 31). Members of hate groups should not just wallow in the filth of their beliefs in private. They can still wallow in it in public places, such as on their deceitful radio and TV stations, in their creepy books, and when giving their hallowed speeches.…
Grover council passes ‘declaration of human rights’
More than one month after violent clashes between white supremacists and protestors in Charlottesville, Virginia, members of the Grover Beach City Council passed a declaration affirming the city’s commitment to issues of equality and human rights. “We live in very anxious times,” said Mayor John Shoals. “We have seen some conduct that has spawned quite…
Farm to table tidbits
Salt of the earth: The Arroyo Grande Harvest Festival has sprouted! Get in on food, games, crafts, agricultural spectacles, entertainment, and more this Sept. 22 in the village of Arroyo Grande (agharvestfestival.com) … The Heirloom Tomato Fest is happening Sept. 23 to 24 at Paso Robles-based Windrose Farm, and don’t forget to check out this…
Animal shelter moves forward despite wavering from North County
Plans to build a $13.7 million county animal shelter will move along despite pleas from the sticker-shocked cities of Paso Robles and Atascadero to delay the project while they evaluate a potential North County shelter. In February, all seven local cities signed an agreement with the county to collectively finance design and construction on a…
Juicy ideas
Backyard wine bash: Join the Apple Farm in SLO for a Backyard Winemaker Dinner this Sept. 29 and round out September Wine Month with even more winecentric goodies. Enjoy five courses of farm-to-table cuisine plus wine pairings from Paso’s Tackitt Family Vineyards hosted in an outdoor garden patio setting. Call 544-2040 to reserve your seats…
SLO Police continue prowler investigation
SLO law enforcement officials are still trying to find out just who is behind a rash of disturbing prowling incidents that have occurred in the city over the last several months. Thus far, the department has not publicly identified or arrested any suspects related to multiple prowling and peeping incidents, which have occurred in various…
Grape escapes
Party at the winery: Harvest Wine Weekend is still a ways out for Paso Robles (Oct. 20 to 22), but the wineries are celebrating early! This Sept. 23, Croad Vineyards is all geared up for a sausage sizzle, and Four Lanterns Winery is hosting a night of classical music, and on Sept. 24 Allegretto Vineyard…
Power down? Central Coast Power is ‘infeasible,’ study finds, but a SLO-based program may work
A tri-county effort to launch Central Coast Power—a public Community Choice Energy (CCE) program that could bring greener electricity to San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura county residents—hit a major snag on Sept. 11 with the release of a feasibility study that found the proposal financially untenable. According to the study, the rates for…
No troubles, just bubbles
Is it just me, or does the tickle of sparkling wine feel a little like falling in love? If elegant flutes, antique ice buckets, and fresh-squeezed mimosas inspire butterflies to dance in your stomach, you may want to mark your calendar for this year’s Bubblyfest by the Sea. The cork pops at the Avila Beach…
Growing the tennis community
Situated on 5 acres of land peppered with oak, pine, madrone, and manzanita trees, the Templeton Tennis Ranch is the perfect venue to play a match with a friend and enjoy the surrounding scenery. Turns out, it’s a place professional players want to enjoy, too. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) selected the Templeton Tennis…
The revolution continues: Lena Rushing group show illustrates how far women’s rights have come and how far they have left to go
#nastywomen Seen and Heard, an art show featuring the work of Lena Rushing and other nationally acclaimed women artists, will be on display at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles from Sept. 28 to Oct. 22, with a reception on Oct. 7 during Art After Dark from 6 to 9 p.m. and an art…
The right to have a say
Once again, the residents of Santa Margarita have not been informed or even given a chance for input regarding an important decision that will directly affect our health, our children’s health, and our property values. Regardless of your position on the merits or defects of the Verizon cell tower (tank) proposed for downtown Santa Margarita,…
Mother!
MOTHER! What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? RentalWhat’s it worth, Glen? MatineeWhere’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Stadium 10, Park Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream, The Fountain, The Wrestler, Noah) directs this psychological thriller about a couple, played by Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, whose quiet country life is upended by unwanted…
A draconian marijuana ordinance
A county marijuana ordinance will supposedly be voted upon by the SLO County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 3. It will limit outdoor cultivation operations to 50 countywide, and will place none on indoor cultivation. This aspect of the Planning Commission’s proposed ordinance should be rejected. It is an unwarranted and counterproductive governmental intrusion into…
Bingeable: Portlandia (Season 7)
When? 2017 What’s it rated? NR Where’s it available? Streaming on Netflix In my humble opinion, Portlandia is one of the very best TV shows of this decade. Stars Carrie Brownstein (a founding member of punk band Sleater-Kinney) and Fred Armisen (a former Saturday Night Live cast member) strike comedy gold splicing together hilarious vignettes…
Lettering and littering
Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill isn’t the only epistolary putz penning impertinent letters poised to put him in a precarious position. Now 1st District Supervisor John Peschong is prepped for a putdown since he’s been caught passing his personal opinion off as SLO County Board of Supervisors consensus. Hill, you’ll recall, was asked to step…
Film listings 9/21/17 through 9/28/17
American Assassin What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Stadium 10, Park, Galaxy 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…
Huddled masses pass life test
When a baby is born, a doctor immediately gives it a five-step “Apgar test,” making sure the child doesn’t need medical intervention. The Trump administration is proposing its own Apgar test—only for adults. Here are some young adults I had the privilege to meet over the last few years when I was head of communications…
Thomas Hill Organics’s Chef Kurt Metzger has his hands in everything green and good in SLO County
Fresh picked plates Thomas Hill Organics is located in Paso Robles at 1313 Park St. (226-5888 for more information). Thomas Hill Organic Kitchen is located in San Luis Obispo at 858 Monterey St. (call 457-1616). To view seasonally changing menus for lunch and dinner, wine and beer list, and cocktail offerings, or to make a…
Orcutt ceramicist Don Frith shows his teapots at SLO Museum of Art
In bloom Don Frith’s elaborately crafted teapots are on display in a special exhibit, Donald Frith: Teapots, at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art (SLOMA) through Oct. 29. The museum is located at 1010 Broad St., San Luis Obispo. For more information, call 543-8562 or visit sloma.org. His work is available for purchase online…
Hit me with your best shot
Think your photos are hot to trot? Let us be the judges of that. Photographers can submit their best shots taken in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties to New Times’ Winning Images contest. Entries are due by 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 25. Photos in the categories of People, Architecture, Land/Seascape, Animals, Flora,…
What are your thoughts on SLO Repertory Theatre becoming a professional theater?
Sasha Shkurkian business owner “I believe in free enterprise. If local talent wants to now succeed as professionals, show some grit.” Ron Starkey retired “I’m glad we’re supporting actors following their passion. Just make sure the focus stays on the local community.” Leslie Powers retired “I’m happy actors are now getting paid. But if possible,…
Write on
Defeat writer’s block by seeking a little inspiration at Cuesta College’s Central Coast Writers Conference on Sept. 28 to 30 at the SLO campus. The conference includes more than 60 presenters and offers workshops that teach skill development in a variety of writing genres to both aspiring and established writers. The event will also feature…
Coastal development hinges on public access
The California Coastal Commission’s hold over properties in San Luis Obispo County’s coastal zone is evident when it comes to places like Pirate’s Cove and Ontario Ridge. Both were discussed at the Sept. 19 Board of Supervisors meeting. Both had development permits that were approved by county governing bodies and later denied by the Coastal…
Digging into SLO’s history
Have fun, get dirty, and learn about archaeology at the second annual Archaeology Day at Mission Plaza on Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join the SLO County Archaeological Society in finding out about the science of deciphering the past and learn more about our local history. Visit the Archaeological Day–San Luis Obispo…
Cambria CSD leaves open seat vacant
Cambria Community Services District board members displayed their division during a special meeting on Sept. 29, when they convened to choose a new colleague. Twelve applicants put their name in the running to fill the vacant seat left by former board member Michael Thompson, but none were chosen. The conversation turned to the root of…
Edgefield near Portland is a foodie’s dream resort
Vacation For more info on planning a Portland getaway at Edgefield, visit mcmenamins.com. After a drive to San Jose and a flight to Portland, I’m fixing to indulge in my three favorite hobbies: eating, drinking, and relaxing! It’s a hot and sunny day when my wife and I arrive at McMenamins’ Edgefield resort in Troutdale…
Supes spar in wake of dunes dust mitigation plan’s passage
Hoping to make some progress after years controversy over the Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area, the California Coastal Commission approved a permit for a five-year dust mitigation plan proposed by the California Department of Parks and Recreation. But the small step forward did little to quell conflict between members of the SLO County Board…
The Dustbowl Revival tours to The Siren on Sept. 22, in support of their new eponymous album
LA’s The Dustbowl Revival has, over the past decade, made a name for themselves as purveyors of vintage Americana sounds. New Orleans, Tin Pan Alley, bluegrass, pre-war blues—they explored a lot of genres—but on their new eponymous album, the octet finds itself traversing the same terrain as contemporary blue-eyed soul and R&B acts as Nathaniel…
Cannabis grow permits dwindle under new proposed county rules
Competition for growing marijuana in a post-Proposition 64 San Luis Obispo County could be stiffer than previously thought. On Sept. 14, the SLO County Planning Commission pushed forward a set of cannabis regulations that propose to cap the number of available permits for outdoor grows at 50, countywide. Indoor grow operations, defined as being enclosed…
Trash cans
Having spent many days at Pirate’s Cove, I don’t ever recall seeing a Shredder there (“Trash talk,” Sept. 14). One would think that an ambulatory piece of talking office equipment dragging itself up the beach would stand out. But no, no sighting. I get the feeling that most who write about Pirate’s have never been…
