Cover Story
Arm in arm: Organized labor in SLO County
In November of 1934, the vegetable fields of South SLO County were teeming with tension. More than 4,000 field workers, packinghouse workers, and other members of the Filipino Labor Union were on strike. It only took a few days for things to get ugly. It began with a walkout in Santa Barbara County that quickly…
Cozy up
Fall offerings: Two SLO hot spots are unleashing new offerings this fall: Sidecar Cocktail Co. is running a “best of” and “past favorites” cocktail menu featuring the most popular drinks from the past five years! We’ve also heard that Foremost Wine Company is now offering a new and improved modern American cuisine menu bursting with…
Bill Murray with Jan Vogler and Friends play PACSLO on Oct. 8
“Do you want to interview Bill Murray?” my editor asked. “Well, duh!” “You also have to interview Jan Vogler, the cellist.” “That’s cool. Bill Murray! Woo hoo!” Then came the arrangements and figuring out of availability. Then the terrible message: “Turns out Bill and Jan won’t be together until 10/5, so the duo interview is…
Fresh finds
Welcome additions: Allegretto Vineyard Resort’s Cello Ristorante & Bar has announced its new chef, Justin Picard. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Picard has worked in some of the most renowned kitchens in San Francisco and Aspen, and is now crafting culinary delights at the Paso Robles hotel and restaurant,…
Stalwork and SLO clash over downtown building’s color
The city of San Luis Obispo calls it “heavy” and “monolithic.” Some locals described it as “handsome” and “beautiful.” Another said it’s “awful.” Construction firm Stalwork Inc.’s new downtown office building on the corner of Santa Rosa and Marsh streets has made a big splash in the community since its unveiling earlier this year. Painted…
City Farm SLO wants YOU to help harvest
If you didn’t know that there was a thriving 19-acre urban farm hiding just off Highway 101 between Madonna and Los Osos Valley Roads in SLO, you’re not alone. There is no better way to get acquainted with this particular agricultural innovation than by attending the farm’s first ever Harvest Festival, slated for Oct. 8…
Wallace Group lands county contract, founder’s criminal cases continue
While its founder faces multiple felony charges in two ongoing criminal conflict of interest cases, the local engineering firm Wallace Group landed a contract with SLO County. At its Sept. 26 meeting, the SLO County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a contract worth up to $658,429 for engineering consultant services for a construction project on…
Italian Master Chef Giovanni Grillenzoni finds new home for Harmony Café in Cambria
Get happy Harmony Café at the Pewter Plough Playhouse is located at 824 Main St. in Cambria. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Movie nights with…
Paso vacation rental regs go to Planning Commission
After nearly two years of community discussion, Paso Robles is poised to pass a vacation rental ordinance to regulate the proliferation of short-term, Airbnb-style rentals in the city. The ordinance, which will go before the city Planning Commission on Oct. 10, would require vacation rental operators to go through a process of obtaining a rental…
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? StreamingWhat’s it worth, Glen? StreamingWhere’s it showing? Bay, Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In Matthew Vaughn returns to direct this sequel about Eggsy (Taron Egerton), a rough-around-the–edges street kid who in the first film (Kingsman: The Secret Service, 2014) was recruited into…
Jim Hill faces possible censure
After the findings of an independent misconduct investigation were made public, it’s clear that many of Arroyo Grande Mayor Jim Hill’s elected peers want him off the South SLO County Sanitation District’s board of directors. The problem is that none of them seem to be sure just how to boot Hill from the three-member board.…
Blast from the Past: Blade Runner
When? 1982 What’s it rated? R Where? DVD Is he or isn’t he a replicant? That’s the question! With the long-awaited Blade Runner sequel—Blade Runner 2049—scheduled to hit theaters on Oct. 6, the time seems right to revisit where it all began, director Ridley Scott’s dystopian sci-fi classic about a cop named Rick Deckard (Harrison…
Fire chars nearly 100 acres above Cal Poly
Residents watched the pop of flames as a helicopter circled the neighborhood above Slack Street and Henderson Avenue near Cal Poly on Sept. 26 around 5 p.m. A yellow bulldozer was building a fire line, moving dirt and dry grass above the last home on Slack Street. A retardant plane flew low behind the hill…
Film listings 9/28/17 through 10/5/17
American Assassin What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? 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 counterterrorism operative…
Investigation into deadly CMC riot continues
Investigators are still searching for answers as to exactly what caused a large-scale riot that killed one inmate and injured several others at the California Men’s Colony (CMC) Sept. 24. Lt. Monica Ayon, a CMC spokesperson, told New Times that the investigation into the riot, which involved more than 160 inmates, was ongoing, with hundreds…
Get real
Time to move beyond climate change denial; deniers can deny it to their grave. We need to solve the problem. First question to ask: What is the problem? The answer should be obvious to everyone: Burning fossil fuel! It’s hard to deny that truth when you grew up with smokestacks spewing smoke and soot, fowling…
The housing predicament
Chances are, if you work a median-income job in SLO County, you can’t afford any of the new homes being built on Orcutt Road—starting in the mid-$600,000s. The residences for sale in the Toscano neighborhood near the South Hills—ranging between $590,000 and $760,000—are also probably not an option. “Normally, anyone above 120 percent of median…
Patriotism and freedom
In 1798 President John Adams signed into law various Alien and Sedition Acts. Alien laws were created to make it harder to become a naturalized citizen. To control the vote, the Federalists sought to control those who were viewed as enemies: the aliens. The Sedition Act was to charge anyone who said, or printed, false…
San Luis Obispo ‘not ready’ for new election model in 2018, county says
Despite being on a short list of counties allowed to immediately implement a new state election model geared toward mail-in voting, San Luis Obispo County has decided it will stick with the status quo for the 2018 elections, citing technical and logistical challenges. The Voter’s Choice Act, or Senate Bill (SB) 450, passed by the…
Antifa is a hate group, too
Thank you to Kathy Riedmann (“I stand by my opinion,” Sept. 21) for illustrating that there are many reasons why “socially liberal Democrats” don’t want to hear any other speech but speech that agrees with them. By supporting and condoning the violence and property destruction and suppression of free speech at the hands of “Antifa”…
Back to the start: Wine Country Theatre’s ‘Annapurna’ explores loss, love
A reckoning Wine Country Theatre is showing Annapurna at the Park Street Ballroom through Oct. 8. Tickets range from $15 to $25. Visit winecountrytheatre.com for more information. “So, these two exes walk into an trailer … .” It’s a daunting scenario, both to be a part of and to watch. But whether you’re in it…
Limit the number of visitors to the dunes
Residents of the Oceano beach community and Nipomo Mesa are suffering from traffic congestion and bad air quality because of Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area. State parks has the obligation to minimize these harmful impacts on the neighboring communities and the natural habitat of the park itself. A lot can be accomplished in that…
The ultimate clubhouse
Walking into the Paso Robles Casino Bar and Lounge you’re greeted by dimmed lights, blackjack tables, and a full service bar. You might also run into owners and brothers Don and Rob Ezzell. The duo is working to change the nightlife scene in Paso Robles by not only offering Vegas-style games but also an inviting…
PG&E needs to pack nuclear waste in thicker containers
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has a great opportunity in its oversight of Diablo Canyon’s closure. PG&E is plagued by the reality of having to store 2,000 tons of highly radioactive nuclear waste on an earthquake fault-ridden coastline into the foreseeable future. Currently, the waste in the dry cask storage is sealed in half-inch…
The bay is lit
Check out local North Coast artists and enjoy Los Osos all aglow on Sept. 30 at the Baywood Art Show and Lighted Boat Parade. The event is from 3 to 9 p.m., starting out at the Back Bay Inn in Los Osos. The art show portion begins at 3 p.m. and includes more than 30…
Don’t have sympathy for the homeless
Well apparently Steve Omar, who “used to edit newspapers in Hawaii,” doesn’t like the off-road vehicle enthusiasts who come to Oceano Dunes for their recreational activities. What with their “noise choking exhaust and bad air,” they’re obviously having too much fun (“Great idea,” Sept. 14). But allowing the homeless to erect tents and live out…
Get freaky
Feel some serious American Horror Story and circus vibes on Oct. 11 at the Freak Show – Drag Show at SLO Brew. SLOQueerdos is hosting the event, which runs from 10 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Participants and attendees are encouraged to put together their craziest freak show attire and be ready to call in sick…
Autumn Arts Annual 2017
Your guide to music, stage, art and events in SLO County!
First Amendment under fire
Kathy Reidmann’s last column surprised me: I never thought to see the day when a liberal demanded censorship of ideas (“I stand by my opinion,” Sept. 21). Reidmann continues in error wanting to prohibit obnoxious people with hateful messages from publicly assembling and promulgating their venom in public forums. I recall one of the most…
Left Field closes downtown SLO retail location, keeps gallery space
Art by appointment Catch the work of Atascadero native sculptor John Zane Zappas during Art After Dark on Oct. 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. (or by appointment through Oct. 29) at Left Field Gallery in SLO. The artist will also unveil a temporary sand sculpture at Montaña de Oro on Oct. 7 in the…
Hero or hellion?
Remember two weeks ago when I told you the Arroyo Grande City Council asked Mayor Jim Hill to step down from the South SLO County Sanitation District board because of improprieties regarding his behavior? (“Trash talk,” Sept. 14) Yeah, well now the board itself is asking him to bounce. Yikes! Clearly Jim does not play…
Calling all artists
The discussion surrounding mental health is often overlooked, but Transitions Mental Health is working to change that. The organization is inviting artists to submit their artwork inspired by or focused on mental illness for the 2018 Opening Minds show’s featured piece. This is a juried submission process, and only one piece of art will be…
Planting seeds
That’s how you thrive: In SLO, we rely on thousands of vineyard and farm workers to plant, care for, and harvest the fruits, vegetables, and wine grapes we are fortunate enough to enjoy. Last month, these men, women, and their families received significant support from the local community when the Central Coast Wine Classic raised…
What is the ugliest building in the city of SLO?
Laurie Newman teacher “I’ve been living here for a really long time so I’ve seen buildings change and upgrade. But the one that comes to mind is the Bank of America building, it’s so outdated.” Irene Wininger hospice nurse “I can’t think of one in SLO but in Pismo Beach, the building across from Harry’s…
That Buckeye view
The Buckeye Trail will kick your ass. But it’s totally worth it. As Highway 1 bends around Salmon Creek, there it is, off the road on the right, past the horrendous mess that is people parking to gawk at Salmon Creek Falls and to the left of the old Salmon Creek ranger station. Just park,…
