Cover Story
Future loss: Two decades of planning is put on hold as Atascadero residents worry about the impacts more than 500 proposed homes would bring
Sunlight glimmered off the large glass windows of the Lindal cedar home Red Heesch built in 1986. His greyish-blue eyes panned the horizon from his balcony, counting at least 36 different white, red, blue, black, and coastal live oaks that sink their roots deep into the golden ground of his front yard, where San Diego…
Inclusive inaction
Editor’s note: New Times made changes to the original version of the column, which indicated that Cal Poly had not released a public statement regarding President Donald Trump’s Sept. 5 decision about DACA. Cal Poly did in fact issue a statement to its campus community via email. Changes marked with an asterisk were made on Sept.…
Cork poppin’
Cheers to Golden State wine: September is California Wine Month! Enjoy Paso wine events, like a sunset hayride at Doce Robles Winery and Vineyard on Sept. 8, a musical barbecue at Still Waters Vineyards on Sept. 10, or head south for a swath of cool tasting room events in Edna Valley and Santa Maria (find…
George Saunders reads from his novel onstage at the PAC
Lincoln in Obispo Acclaimed author George Saunders will read from his recently published first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, at the PAC on the Cal Poly campus on Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. For ticket info, visit calpolyarts.org. The cost ranges from $27.20 to $104 per person. In his first novel, George Saunders takes readers…
SLO residents show support for DACA ‘Dreamers’
The group of adults and children that gathered on the sidewalk near the intersection of Marsh and Pepper Street Sept. 5 wasted little time before breaking into chanting. “Dreamers must stay! Trump and Pence, go away,” they shouted while waving colorful signs at passing cars. The crowd was one of many that came together across…
Going, Going, Gone exhibit zeroes in on mass extinction of plants and animals
Before it’s gone Going, Going, Gone: Art in the Age of Extinction will be on display at Studios on the Park in Paso Robles through Sept. 24. Featured artists include Eve Provost Chartrand, Joshua Coffy, Helen K. Davie, Debra Jury, Karen R. Schroeder, Paula Teplitz, and Sara Woodbury. The gallery will also host a mead…
Footage of Andrew Holland’s death remains under wraps
Despite a 13-year career in law enforcement, Brian Hedley said it was difficult to watch the video footage of Andrew Holland dying in a glass-walled cell at the SLO County jail. One of two private investigators hired by the Holland family’s attorney to dig into the 36-year-old schizophrenic man’s death, Hedley said he watched the…
Art on the inside
See the world from a different perspective at the Between the Bars art exhibit at Cuesta College’s Harold J. Miossi Gallery. The show, on display through Oct. 31, features the work of incarcerated artists from the California Men’s Colony in SLO. The work was displayed at Cal Poly’s Robert E. Kennedy Library earlier this summer.…
San Luis Coastal adopts ‘religious expression’ policy in wake of anti-gay letter
Responding to the community turmoil stirred up in May when a then-SLO High School teacher religiously condemned homosexuality in a letter to the student newspaper SLO Expressions, the San Luis Coastal Unified School District (SLCUSD) board of trustees adopted a “religious expression” policy on Sept. 5 to clarify where, when, and in what manner religious…
Barn dancin’
Class up your next barn session by hitting up Ballet at the Barn on Sept. 9 at Avila Valley Barn. The event will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and features a show by Ballet Theatre San Luis Obispo’s performing company. Attendees can also enjoy dinner, dessert, live and silent auctions, box raffles for…
Seasonal DIY
With summer quickly slipping away, it’s time to embrace all things fall, starting with the dining room table. Get in the autumnal spirit by attending the Fall Centerpieces for Your Table workshop, taught by Linda Georgeadis of Beverly’s Fabrics. The class will be held Sept. 16from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Alex Madonna Expo…
A home in South County
Since retiring two years ago, I’ve volunteered at the Food Bank of San Luis Obispo County in Oceano, the South County People’s Kitchen in Grover Beach, and the 5 Cities Homeless Coalition Warming Center in Arroyo Grande. Through this experience, I have come to know some of our local homeless people and I think gained…
Central Coast Comedy Theater celebrates one year of hilarious improv shows and classes
A real knee slapper Catch a Central Coast Comedy Theater improv show every Saturday at 8 p.m. at Kreuzberg Coffee Co. in SLO. The troupe’s last improv battle-style show will be Sept. 9 at 8 p.m. The cost is $5 per person. Wanna get funny? Improv classes are now available in Morro Bay and Paso…
Fighting for public land
When I was a child, I lived for my summers spent on the Central Coast. I’d spend the school year dreaming of beaches and beautiful weather as dreary rains carried on outside, and I’d count the days until I’d get to hike and bike with my family on California’s extraordinary public lands. My father made…
Un Amor: Gipsy Kings bring flamenco and Spanish soul to Vina
With tears streaming down my face, I rolled down all the windows in the car and took a deep breath of the ocean air careening around me, whipping my hair into my mouth and across my shoulders. Opening the sunroof, I reached down to turn up the sound of Spanish guitar and stepped on the…
Fuel of the future
The Sierra Club (“Ready for 100 percent renewable energy,” Aug. 31) is after me (“Mathematical conundrum,” Aug. 17), but I am not too worried about that. After all, you are talking about an organization that not too long ago got caught taking some $28 million directly from the natural gas industry, ostensibly to assist in…
‘Tulip Fever’ looks at the risks of love, gambling
TULIP FEVER What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Ryah? Full Price What’s it worth, Karen? Full Price Where’s it showing? The Palm, Stadium 10 Editor’s note: This week’s Split Screen was written by Arts Editor Ryah Cooley and Staff Writer Karen Garcia while Glen and Anna Starkey were off on vacation. From director Justin…
A warning from Houston
A Natural Resources Defense Council simulation of a severe accident at Diablo Canyon shows a southbound radioactive plume extending from Avila to Santa Barbara, illustrating that evacuation via Highway 101 south isn’t realistic. In 2013, a U.S. Government Accountability Office Congressional report raised concerns that unauthorized “shadow” evacuations would impede those under evacuation orders. Many…
Guilty Pleasures: Black Rain
When? 1989 What’s it rated? R Where’s it available? DVD, Streaming on Netflix No one is perfect. That adage is true of everyone, even groundbreaking Hollywood directors. Sometimes, no matter how much money and talent you bring to a film, things just don’t work out, and these creative titans of cinema are left with a…
The right answer
Over Labor Day weekend, I spoke with Firefighter Erik Baskin about his experience leading the SLO City Firefighter’s union, the IAFF Local 3523. He said that unions have been losing ground politically since he joined two decades ago, even though a recent Gallup poll found that 60 percent of Americans approve of them. Erik explained…
Film listings 9/7/17 through 9/14/17
ALL SAINTS What’s it rated? PG Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre All Saints is based on the inspiring true story of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Together, they risked everything to plant seeds for a future that might…
What’s your favorite way to beat the heat?
John and Donna Muller retired “We love it. We don’t even live here; it’s a little cooler in Los Osos.” Jackie W. business owner “It doesn’t really bother me.” Kathy Martin rental owner “Luckily we have air conditioning.” Isaac Dixon finance “Getting ice cream.”
Morro Bay local helps Texas relief effort
When Dana Stein arrived in the outskirts of Houston, Texas, on Aug. 31, he found the darkness of dawn and the brown water that flooded the area ahead. “I remember getting out of the truck and it just smelled bad, like old water,” he said. Stein is a harbor patrol officer in Morro Bay and…
Champions of breakfast
Honor thy breakfast Don’t forget to observe national pancake day Sept. 26, World Egg Day Oct. 2, and (gasp) Cinnamon Roll Day Oct. 4. What really turns me on in the morning? The irresistible tease of bacon snapping in a cast iron pan, turning the whole house porky. The frenzied sizzle of eggs (laid just…
Gearhart gets a shot at a reduced prison sentence
The former Atascadero “citizen of the year” convicted of defrauding investors out of millions of dollars in a real estate Ponzi scheme will get a chance to reduce his lengthy prison sentence. A federal court granted an appeal by 56-year-old Kelly Gearhart and ordered a new sentencing hearing for the disgraced real estate developer, who…
Guac around the clock!
Who doesn’t like avocados and margaritas? This refreshing and satisfying combination of creamy and cold is pretty much the unofficial meal of “the California dream,” where waves shimmer and shoes are never required. If you live on the Central Coast, ripe avocados are your birthright, OK? Claim your scoop of the dip and gather at…
North County considers paving own path on animal shelter
Update (Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m.): At a Sept. 7 meeting, the Paso Robles City Council voted to ask SLO County to “postpone its decision to proceed with a new animal shelter, in order to give the City adequate time to work with the City of Atascadero on the feasibility of a north County animal shelter,” a Paso…
Greenery a go go
Sweet harvest: The Heirloom Tomato Fest is right around the corner this Sept. 23 featuring a lush dinner by Chef Julie Simon. Dine on more than 40 heirloom tomato varieties at gorgeous Windrose Farm in Paso Robles (also enjoy farm tours, tomato growing tips, and fun for the whole family; go to farmsteaded.com for tickets).…
New concepts: Platescrape helps food industry save water
Nate Stein has his roots firmly planted in the food industry, working alongside his family to cater events. About seven years ago, his parents started Stein’s BBQ & Catering Co. At the end of the night, Stein was usually stuck cleaning hundreds of dishes. “One night, at a wedding at Still Waters Vineyards a couple…
Nosh on this
Standout vineyard star: Halter Ranch Vineyard in Paso Robles just announced that vineyard manager Lucas Pope has been named to Wine Enthusiast’s coveted 40 Under 40 list in the upcoming October 2017 issue. Pope is first vineyard manager to ever make the list! Way to grow! … Crashing waves, sunny sand, and bikinis galore: Pismo…
