Cover Story
Dam it up: North County cities are using man-made and natural beaver dams to control erosion and fire in the Salinas Riverbed
There’s a clear distinction between the dry land and lush riverbed along the Upper Salinas River in Atascadero. Tracks along the shoreline in late August reveal that a branch was recently dragged into the stream. A pile of fresh wood shavings and deep divots on the riverbed floor lead up to an architectured dam—the beavers…
SLO County Arts Open Studios Tours 2024
A Guided Tour of Local Artists and Their Creative Spaces It is time for the Open Studios Art Tour! Throughout two weekends, artists open their working studios to the public and showcase their unique processes and creations. Travel the county and witness the artwork of artists across varied mediums, including glass works, woodcarving, jewelry design,…
Cuesta College showcases works of nine Mexican artists living on the border of San Diego and Tijuana
Beyond borders The Outsiders from the Other Side will be on display at the Harold J. Miossi Art Gallery at Cuesta College until Oct. 11. The gallery is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Visit cuesta.edu to learn more. Once part of the same country but separated by barriers both tangible…
SLO property owner sues city for storm damages
The city of San Luis Obispo became the latest in the county to be on the receiving end of a lawsuit from disgruntled constituents who suffered damages from the January 2023 storms. “When will they ever take on responsibility, or even, like, offer to help?” SLOtography owner Blake Andrews said. “Because there’s no one in…
Werewolf antics take center stage during the Great American Melodrama’s new show
The Great American Melodrama in Oceano presents its production of Werewolf of Arroyo Grande, which opens on Friday, Sept. 13. Upcoming performances of the new original show are scheduled to run at the theater through Saturday, Nov. 9. According to the Melodrama’s website, the play follows a man who relocates to the Village of Arroyo…
Pismo council supports proposition that would crack down on repeat offenders
The Pismo Beach City Council narrowly passed a resolution supporting a ballot proposition aimed at reforming how the state charges and prosecutes repeat offenders and drug crimes. During a Sept. 3 City Council meeting, Pismo Beach Police Chief Jeff Smith presented Proposition 36: the Homelessness, Drug Addiction, and Theft Reduction Act, which aims to refine…
Go behind the scenes with Ballet Theatre SLO at open house event
Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo will open its doors to the community for a special open house event on Sunday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 5 p.m. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the venue’s studio space and meet dancers, instructors, and other artists who work with the local performance group. There will also…
Three candidates vie for Atascadero City Council seats
As local elections ramp up, two openings on the Atascadero City Council have three candidates campaigning for a seat, while the mayoral race has one contender. Incumbent Councilmember Mark Dariz is running against newcomers Seth Peek and Tori Keen for the spots, with the top two vote getters taking the seats. Current Councilmember Charles Bourbeau’s…
Talley family of Arroyo Grande nabs Agriculturalist of the Year award, raises next generation of leaders
For pours and produce Talley Vineyards, located at 3031 Lopez Drive in Arroyo Grande, is open daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Reservations are recommended. For more details, visit talleyvineyards.com and follow the winery on Instagram and Facebook @talleyvineyards. To learn more about Talley Farms’ pickup and delivery options for fresh produce, visit talleyfarmsbox.com.…
Correction
The Aug. 29 news brief, “County residents butt heads with harbor commissioners over offshore wind,” incorrectly stated how Commissioner Jim Blecha voted on the Clean Energy Terminals (CET) studies about whether Port San Luis can support offshore wind development. Blecha voted in favor of the studies. Commissioner William Barrow voted against it alongside Commissioner Mary…
Wish of a Lifetime helps senior citizens in SLO County and beyond fulfil life-changing wishes
After spending their formative years in an internment camp set up during World War II, Japanese American brothers Toki and Nori Endo rose to become decorated pilots in the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Navy, respectively. “Individuals like Toki Endo, who have given back so much to their country, really, in the face of…
I call a recess!
What is happening in South County? Between the Oceano Community Services District, Arroyo Grande City Council, and Grover Beach City Council, there’s no shortage of policy-making in disarray. I feel bad for the elected officials who sit on the governing bodies—except for Oceano’s, of course as they brought it upon themselves (they are the agitators).…
Burley Thistles led by local Easton Everett releases debut album on Sept. 7 in Frog and Peach
The Burley Thistles’ new self-titled eight-song album is exactly the sort of guitar-driven alternative rock I would have locked myself in my bedroom with as a teenager and played on repeat until I knew every song by heart. It’s got the kind of memorable songwriting of an Elvis Costello or a Graham Parker, but with—as…
Proposition 1 brings unanswered questions regarding state funding allocation to SLO County’s Behavioral Health Department
With the narrow passage of Proposition 1 in March, the SLO County Behavioral Health Department is bracing for unknown change. Passing with a margin of 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent, the $6.4 billion bond aims to modernize the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) and provide California with the resources to build 10,000 new beds to…
America can do something about Israel’s indiscriminate attacks on Palestinians
“Israel right or wrong” is the approach America takes in its support of Israel against the Palestinians. Israel has a right to defend itself against attack. Israel has no right to commit indiscriminate crimes against the Palestinian people. Pope Francis recently said this, “I continue to receive very serious and painful news from Gaza. Unarmed…
Supervisor Debbie Arnold put one man’s interest above community good
Bravo, Debbie Arnold! Thank you for making it necessary for SLO to return federal, state, and local monies needed to complete the Bob Jones Trail (“Supervisors fail to adopt resolution to close Bob Jones Trail gap,” Aug. 22). Really, how important is fully funded community safety? Oh, compared to … the property rights of an…
Oceano Dunes recreation is also a problem for Arroyo Grande Creek steelhead
Lopez Dam isn’t the only challenge for steelhead in the Arroyo Grande Creek (“Fish flop,” Aug. 29). The Oceano Dunes State Vehicular Recreation Area (ODSVRA) also poses a problem, as vehicles must cross the creek on Oceano Beach to access off-highway riding and car camping areas. The creek, crucial for steelhead and tidewater goby, connects…
The Bob Jones Trail isn’t what’s best for the greatest number of people
In (his/her/their/its) most recent piece, the Shredder made an important point about eminent domain, that being doing what is best for the greatest number of people (“Tree-huggers in crisis,” Aug. 29). So, which is better? Spending $18 million for the benefit of a relatively small group of people, or spending it on transportation that will…
The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat is bighearted melodrama streaming on Hulu
THE SUPREMES AT EARL’S ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT What’s it rated? PG-13What’s it worth, Anna? Stream itWhat’s it worth, Glen? Stream itWhere’s it showing? Hulu Tina Mabry (Mississippi Damned) directs this story based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s 2013 bestselling novel about a trio of friends—Odette (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Kyanna Simone as young Odette), Barbara Jean (Sanaa Lathan and…
SLO County voters shouldn’t forget about down-ballot races this election
In November, voters will be selecting among candidates running to fill nominally nonpartisan local seats: all those “down-ballot” races after the partisan offices of president/vice president, Congress, and the state Legislature. Pay attention now: There will be a test on everything that follows here, and that test is on Nov. 5—exactly two months from this…
Little Women
What’s it rated? PG When? Monday, Sept. 9, at 5:30 p.m. Where’s it showing? The Bay Theatre of Morro Bay Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career, Mrs. Soffel) directs this 1994 film adaptation of writer Louisa May Alcott’s two volume coming of age novel (released in 1868 and 1869) about the March sisters—Meg (Trini Alvarado), Jo…
Dana Reserve in Nipomo moves closer to becoming a reality
The Dana Reserve moved one step closer to breaking ground after the Nipomo Community Services District (NCSD) voted in favor of splitting the development’s future property taxes with SLO County and annexing the project into its service area. More than 100 community members were present at the NCSD’s Aug. 28 board meeting to show their…
The Killer
What’s it rated? R When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Peacock Famed Hong Kong auteur John Woo (A Better Tomorrow, Hard Boiled, Face/Off, Mission Impossible II) directs this action flick (a remake of his 1989 film of the same name with Chow Yun-Fat in the lead) about Zee (Nathalie Emmanuel), a female assassin out to make…
Coastal Commission appeal challenges Moonstone motel project in Cambria
Cambria’s Burton Drive could get a new motel—that is, if the California Coastal Commission allows the development in light of an appeal that claims the community doesn’t have the water supply. “In terms of water supply, Cambria has historically had difficulty meeting even existing water demand given that the community’s two main water sources, San…
