America’s ‘melting pot’ is a myth
Usually I read John Donegan’s columns and just shake my head. But his recent “A Bad Hare Day” (March 12) rant was too full of specious and mythological hot air to ignore. I don’t care that he didn’t like Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl show. But to claim that probably 80 percent of the audience didn’t…
Offshore wind is neither reliable nor ready to go
Stephen Van Domelen’s letter regarding offshore wind energy on the East Coast is confused at best (“Let workers finish the job on offshore wind,” March 12). For example, the claim that “affordable” offshore wind is a “reliable and ready-to-go solution” is laughable. Offshore wind is unreliable, as it only works when the wind is blowing,…
Join us in downtown SLO to protest the administration
If you’re feeling discouraged and distraught over the current news of war, price increases, environmental damage, and the erosion of our civil liberties, join us on March 28 for the largest single-day peaceful protest in the history of our nation. Join thousands of like-minded people for No Kings III in downtown SLO. Gather at Osos…
Get informed, then vote!
The League of Women Voters urges SLO County voters to get ready to vote in the upcoming primary election on June 2 by learning about the candidates for county supervisor and their positions on the issues that are important to our community. The League is partnering with area Rotary Clubs to moderate two candidate forums.…
Picasso’s mural from the Spanish Civil War speaks to us now
Pablo Picasso is famous for “breaking the mold” in the art world, but one overtly political painting is arguably his most famous work: Guernica. This 25-foot mural represents the best of Picasso’s style as well as his passion for world peace. He painted it in the immediate aftermath of an “experiment” conducted by Hitler’s forces…
Riley Roddick of Hubba Wines in Paso Robles celebrates a decade in business
When young Cal Poly graduate Riley Hubbard (now Roddick) told her mentor that she wanted to follow in his footsteps, he had no doubt she would fulfill her dream. Head to HubbaHubba Wines, located in Paso Robles’ Tin City at 2929 Limestone Way, unit B, is open by appointment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.…
It’s a party!
Cal Poly learned from last year’s mistakes when it came to its little 3 a.m. alternative to St. Fratty’s Day. Instead of only “selling”—giving away—5,000 tickets to the Morning on the Green shindig and making another 1,000 students wait behind a flimsy barricade that they shoved their way through, the university “sold” 14,000 of the…
A Central Coast artist paints today’s landscapes for tomorrow’s remembrance
When Katy Smith tells people she’s going painting in Orcutt, she gets puzzled looks in return. While it’s still hereTo view and purchase paintings by Katy Smith, visit her website katysmithartist.com. She’s active on Instagram @katy_smith_artist and Facebook @katysmithartist. Find her work at Art Center Morro Bay, Costa Gallery in Los Osos, and Orcutt’s Steller’s…
SLO Planning Commission quashes two more frat permits
Two Cal Poly fraternities paid the price for repeated noise violations and unruly gatherings when the San Luis Obispo Planning Commission revoked their conditional use permits. On March 11, Lambda Chi Alpha and Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) found themselves without permits after racking up a total of 13 citations from the SLO Police Department from…
Comic Demetri Martin plays a March 28 Rotary Club fundraiser at the PAC
Standup comedian, actor, writer, and director Demetri Martin performs at the Performing Arts Center in San Luis Obispo on Saturday, March 28 (7:30 p.m.; ages 5 and older but parental discretion is advised; $52 to $97 at pacslo.org), as a Rotary Club of San Luis Obispo de Tolosa fundraiser to benefit local youth charities. Martin…
Paid parking pilot program begins in Morro Bay
Morro Bay’s long-discussed paid parking program is now in effect, with fees implemented March 1 at the launch ramp parking lot at the end of the Embarcadero near Tidelands Park. The new fees apply only to that lot; parking at the smaller lot near Tidelands Park remains free, Mayor Carla Wixom told New Times in…
Painter Flo Bartell celebrates her 85th with the Costa Gallery
To celebrate her 85th birthday, San Luis Obispo artist Flo Bartell is displaying through March 29 a new collection of paintings called Color Play in Los Osos’ Costa Gallery. The new series “focuses on deep, saturated colors using the ancient art form of encaustic’s materials and techniques,” the gallery announced. “She uses beeswax, pigment, and…
SLO’s former coin collector wants city acknowledgment as employee
San Luis Obispo’s one-time primary parking meter coin collector wants the city to correct his classification as a contractor and acknowledge his 33-year tenure as an employee. “Throughout that entire period, I was classified as a ‘contractor,’ despite the nature, duration, and control of my work clearly meeting the legal definition of an employee under…
Undertone is long on atmosphere but short on substance
In his directorial feature-length debut, writer-director Ian Tuason helms this psychological supernatural horror film about popular paranormal podcast host Evy (Nina Kiri), who is haunted by recordings anonymously send to her and her podcast partner, Justin (Adam DiMarco). (126 min.) UNDERTONEWhat’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Anna? Don’t botherWhat’s it worth, Glen? MatineeWhere’s it showing?…
Cal Poly concert kept St. Fratty’s under control
For the second year in a row, Cal Poly worked closely with the city of San Luis Obispo to keep St. Fratty’s Day celebrations under control, offering students a safer way to celebrate while keeping the streets clear. The university’s Morning on the Green music festival the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day intended to draw…
Reality TV series The Traitors pits contestants in a social deduction game
“Come one, come all, come friend, come foe,” states the great Alan Cumming—whose Moira Rose-inspired accent and incredible wardrobe unite to create what may be the greatest reality show host ever. There are plenty of versions of The Traitors, so if you (like me) absolutely binge through the four seasons of this one, you’ll have…
Spring Arts Annual 2026
It’s hot already! And so are the happenings that Calendar Editor Angie Stevens compiled into a one-stop shop for arts events slated to take place in the coming months. Our annual Spring Arts issue is all about celebrating the season by diving into self-expression; the creative expression of others; and dancing, singing, and possibly eating…
Night Agent season 3 is an espionage romp
Now in its third season (and renewed for a fourth), The Night Agent is a bingeable, implausible espionage romp with a likeable protagonist. In the first season, FBI Special Agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) saved a lot of lives thwarting a DC Metro bombing. A year later he’s working for White House Chief of Staff…
Nick Lowe plays Rod & Hammer Rock on March 28
I’m pleased to report that Nick Lowe is still cool AF. I mean like the coolest cat that ever glided unannounced into a party and immediately charmed the pants off everyone in the place. When I connected with him on a Zoom call, he had a shock of white hair, chunky glasses, and a natty…
The city of SLO wants registered voters to learn about its new voting system by November
Registered voters in San Luis Obispo can brush up on a new voting method debuting in the general election by making use of multiple educational sessions this spring and summer. SLO will hold six community meetings on the citywide single-vote system, adopted by the City Council in January. Starting in November, all eligible voters in…
Supervisor Jimmy Paulding has done a lot for this county
I’ll be direct: I’m tired of the recent news focused on tearing down Jimmy Paulding. Because while the critics are busy pointing fingers, Jimmy has been quietly delivering results that have made a real difference in people’s lives, and voters in District 4 deserve to hear about them. Residents of the Nipomo Mesa once lived…
The irony of John Donegan
I find it ironic that John Donegan complains about identity politics in his recent opinion column (“A Bad Hare Day,” March 12). His review of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show veritably screams “I am an old white male.” Does he really have “to wonder about [Bad Bunny] giving the performance in Spanish”? Even the…
