Cover Story
Confident in the future: Set yourself up for success with this year’s Weddings issue
It’s about a week after Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air. You know what that means, don’t you? New Times’ annual Weddings issue is here! February is the month of love, and if you’re planning on tying the knot, have we got some information for you. In this year’s issue, learn about the…
Pismo Beach local’s new book, The Daring Decade, takes a deep dive into what made the 1970s a revolutionary time for film
On shelves The Daring Decade (Volume One, 1970-1974): The Exciting, Influential, and Bodaciously Fun American Movies of the 1970s, by Chris Strodder, is available for purchase on Amazon. Readers can expect Volume Two, 1975-1979 to be released later this summer. What makes a good movie, great? Is it the acting? The special effects? Must the…
Twelve years of Adam Hill is enough
For 12 years, Adam Hill has been unwilling or emotionally unable to work with any supervisor he doesn’t agree with. The public is tired of his obstructionist behavior, his temper tantrums and insults directed at other board members and at the public in the gallery. He is rude and insulting and acts like a petulant…
Oceano CSD considers changes to compensation and bylaws
The Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) board of directors is considering several changes to its bylaws that staff say would make the rules clearer and the district’s business “run smoother,” a response to recent controversy surrounding the board’s decision to bar one member from committee service for the duration of 2020. At a meeting on…
Artist Javier Manrique’s Studios on the Park exhibit gives viewers a sense of their own ‘place in space’
On display The Calling, an exhibit by artist Javier Manrique, is on display at Studios on the Park through March 1. The Paso Robles studio is located at 1130 Pine St. I walk into Studios on the Park on an unusually cold Paso Robles day, and head toward the back of the gallery where the…
Chill out, boomer
John Donegan started his article on affirmative action (“Affirmative action,” Feb. 13) by snidely assessing how liberals struggle with the complex issue of racial justice. Moreover, his hackneyed description of a liberal’s mental gymnastics is beyond ironic, when we are in the era of conservatives in Mr. Donegan’s camp practically going through a rebirth to…
South County Poetry welcomes featured poet Jerry Douglass Smith
Central Coast local Jerry Douglas Smith, co-founder of Poets on the Edge, is the next featured poet in South County Poetry’s monthly series. This month’s reading will take place at the Cortina D’Arroyo Community Room in Arroyo Grande on Sunday, Feb. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Admission to the event is free. Smith is…
Korsgaden’s campaign is in the gutter
Stacy Korsgaden, 3rd District candidate for SLO County supervisor, has stooped to the worst sort of sleazy campaigning I’ve ever seen. I raised my eyebrows upon receiving her first attack ad against her opponent, but the second one was so vile and disgusting I was left stunned. Way to “put politics aside” and represent residents…
DA’s Office investigated Adam Hill as suspect in 2016 harassing emails case
Vulgar, harassing emails sent to local radio host Dave Congalton nearly four years ago sparked a criminal investigation at the SLO County District Attorney’s Office that named 3rd District Supervisor Adam Hill as a suspect, but prosecutors dropped the case in late 2016 without filing charges. In July 2016, Congalton, host of Hometown Radio on…
SLO Friends of the Library holds annual book sale
The 41st annual SLO Friends of the Library Book Sale will be held at the SLO Veterans Memorial Building from Thursday, March 5, to Saturday, March 7. The sale will feature more than 30,000 books, spanning varieties appropriate for adults, teens, and children. Thousands of DVDs will also be available for purchase, as well as…
‘A paucity of policy ideas’
I had my breath taken away by the mailer sent to me by the Stacy Korsgaden campaign regarding Adam Hill, Korsgaden’s incumbent opponent. It was clear enough from the candidate’s forum last month that Korsgaden, in my friend Tom’s words: “has a paucity of policy ideas.” Sufficient, in a head-to-head race, to assure Hill’s ballot…
SLO County Arts Council hosts Atascadero poetry reading
Atascadero Poetry, a program of the SLO County Arts Council, hosts its next Third Thursday Poetry Reading at St. Luke’s on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. This month’s featured poets are Chris Schulz and Rosalyn Strohl. An open reading will follow the event, offering participants five minutes each. Complimentary snacks will also…
The real world
Consider these realities: global climate catastrophe. Cuts to the American safety net. Race baiting. Foreign undermining of the democratic process. The erosion of U.S. moral authority. The devolution of constitutional norms. Voter suppression … . These crises—and more—make the 2020 elections the most important in my lifetime. The election on March 3 holds the key…
Weddings 2020
It’s about a week after Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air. You know what that means, don’t you? New Times‘ annual Weddings issue is here!
Over the river and through the woods, find Hidden Kitchen tucked in Cambria’s downtown
Go find it The specialties at the Hidden Kitchen in Cambria are the bioregional blue corn waffle and seasonal smoothies, but it is a gluten-free, community-welcoming café featuring all-organic, locally sourced fare. Hours are Friday to Monday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please check @hiddenkitchencalifornia on Instagram for updates. Hidden Kitchen is located at 2164…
Transformed: Antique tank house to be repurposed in Arroyo Grande
Yards of manicured grass and colorful blossoming flowers encompass the little white gazebo that sits at the center of Arroyo Grande’s Heritage Square Park. Surrounded by big bushy trees and some of Arroyo Grande’s oldest historic buildings, this creekside haven is the perfect spot for a wedding, and the South County Historical Society knows it.…
Pinkies’ promise: Downtown SLO beauty lounge empowers brides with its services
The venue is set, the RSVPs are counted, the photographer’s booked, the catering menu has been finalized, and the final fitting of the dress is done. All that’s left are the final touches of prepping for the ceremonious day of two individuals promising to be forever partners. For the bride, that could mean getting her…
Savor the flavor
Think you can get through the winter without another craft beer festival? Think no more. Pizza Port Brewing Company is hosting SLO Craft Beer Fest Day on Feb. 22 from noon to 5 p.m. at the Madonna Inn on 100 Madonna Road, SLO … Craving a hot dog? Me too, always. BarrelHouse Brewing Co. Brewery…
Sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on our Feb. 13 news story, “County to consider taking lead on Blue Bag Partnership.”
Engineering firm claims Paso School District did not pay it for work
RRM Design Group Inc. alleges that the Paso Robles Unified School District refuses to pay the firm for services it performed for the district three years ago. A complaint filed on Jan. 27 against the school district alleges that Paso Unified ignored the architecture and engineering firm’s invoice of $46,658.02 for work it performed in…
Eat and learn
Perhaps finding optimum health is more your goal this February. To be good to your cerebrum, SLO Fit Body Boot Camp and Nourish the Brain Institute are holding a free Brain, Mind & Body Balance Workshop on Feb. 22 from 9 a.m. to noon, at SLO Fit Body Boot Camp, 1441 Monterey St., SLO. Brain…
Special delivery!
Everyone’s pointing fingers at everyone. It’s politics at its worst and it seems to be here to stay in San Luis Obispo County. Oddly enough, it’s not Facebook that’s spurring all of the whacked out controversy heading into the March 3 primary. It’s those freaking mailers! Who said print was dead? Last week, it was…
Going green: Easy ideas to make your celebration sustainable
While we all want the memories of our big day to last forever, the fact of the matter is that behind the beauty of a wedding hides a dirty secret swept away after the last partygoers have left the dance floor. Throwing any event filled with food, drink, gifts, and merriment generally spells out the…
For a cause
The Atascadero Performing Arts Center Committee (APACC) is hosting a Mardi Gras event on Feb. 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. at 5850 Rosario Ave., Atascadero, to support the mission of planning, building, and sustaining a Performing Arts Theater in Atascadero. APACC’s Mardi Gras Party encourages masks and costumes for this event. A $50 ticket…
Fantasy Island is an odd, twisty mess
FANTASY ISLAND What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Rent it What’s it worth, Glen? Stream it Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10 Jeff Wadlow (Truth or Dare, Kick-Ass 2, Never Back Down) directs this horror-comedy about a magical island run by Mr. Roarke (Michael Peña), who makes his resort guests’…
SLO school district to consider feasibility of bond measure
The San Luis Coastal Unified School District is considering putting a general obligation bond on the November 2020 ballot. At a San Luis Coastal school board meeting on Feb. 18, board members voted unanimously to conduct a community survey on the feasibility of passing a general obligation bond. Ryan Pinkerton, assistant superintendent of business and…
Oyster mushrooms to-go
When I visit Templeton Farmers’ Market on Saturday, the bulk of my purchases come from Mt. Olive Organic Farm. I appreciate the quality of their healthy, organic food. I buy their fruit wraps for my kids’ school lunches, the broccoli sprouts for my smoothies and omelets, and their bokchoy for a sautéed side on our…
Bingeable: National Geographic Documentaries
When? Ongoing Where? Disney Plus What’s it rated? TV-G Until recently, I had no idea film director James Cameron has been to the actual wreckage of the Titanic 33 times. When my daughter did a report earlier in February on Robert Ballard for her seventh grade English class, I got to revisit the facts surrounding…
FBI analyzes handwritten letters that stated threats against minorities
In August 2019 Richard Orcutt, 62, pleaded not guilty to allegedly sending threatening letters to his neighbors, and now the Federal Bureau of Investigation is assisting in the examination of the letters in question. On Feb. 13, the SLO County District Attorney’s Office notified the court that the FBI is analyzing the handwriting on the…
Cache Valley Drifter member Wally Barnick releases a new solo album
Wally Barnick likes to joke that he learned to play the bass to ensure a “place in the band.” What he really wanted to do was sing, but when you play with a bunch of talented pickers who can also sing pretty well themselves, there’s no place for a musical freeloader like a prima donna…
Film Listings, 2/20/20 – 2/27/20
All theater listings are as of Friday, Feb. 21. THE ASSISTANT What’s it rated? R What’s it worth? Matinee Where’s it showing? The Palm Pick Kitty Green writes and directs Julia Garner as Jane, a recent college grad who lands an assistant position at a prestigious New York film production company. She soon experiences the…
About us? UGH! How to make your couples’ bio not totally suck
You know what almost everyone hates doing? Yes, wearing wet socks. Yes, getting inoculations. Yes, waiting as your car’s oil is changed. Yes, yes, yes! But I’m talking about something really horrible! I’m talking about trying to write nice, funny, poignant things about you and your significant other. It’s, like, impossible! If you’re getting married,…
No. 1 priority
Several Democratic presidential primary candidates have referred to the climate crisis as an “existential threat,” but what exactly does that mean? An existential threat or crisis, as defined by Wikipedia, means “A crisis that may stem from one’s new perception of life and existence.” I think we have reached that state as by now most…
Central Coast economy is still growing, but labor issues could hinder it long term
Skilled workers are getting harder to come by on the Central Coast, according to Mike Miller of Papich Construction, and it’s affecting how quickly the company can complete transportation infrastructure projects. Miller spoke up at the end of the 2020 Economic Forecast hosted by the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Aera Energy in…
The subterfuge of the new progressives
An avowed progressive, Ellen Beraud is running for Debbie Arnold’s 5th District seat on the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors and maligning her solid record. Having recently received one of Beraud’s mailers, it was rife with misdirection and misstated “facts.” Her literature claims that she will “not represent special interests.” Yet she has…
Destination wedding: Insiders discuss just how connected the wedding and tourism industries are in SLO County
When Madonna Enterprises CEO Clint Pearce first started noticing new “agri-tourism” wedding venues sprout up across San Luis Obispo County—from barns, to ranches, to wineries—he thought that the Madonna Inn might be in for a natural loss of business as a result. “They’re beautiful venues. I’m thinking, well, we might be declining,” Pearce told New…
I’m voting for Ellen Beraud and I’m a veteran
As a veteran I very much support Ellen Beraud’s campaign to be the 5th District supervisor. She appears to be far more involved in working to make sure current veterans are fed and housed than in building war memorials. Debbie Arnold’s supporters seem to be saying that every village, town, and city should have a…
Hitching a ride: Amid funding cuts from SLOCOG, Ride-On will have to rely on services like its wedding shuttle to make up for lost revenue
Need a ride? For more information on Ride-On’s wedding and special event transportation services, call (805) 543-7862. For more than two decades, Ride-On Transportation has provided its services to thousands of SLO County residents of all kinds, from veterans on the way to medical appointments to wedding guests en route to receptions. With a fleet…
Korsgaden isn’t running on the issues
As a 3rd District voter, I’m not voting for any political candidate who produces dark hit-piece flyers against their opponent. This week I’ve received two dark gray flyers paid for by Stacy Korsgaden’s campaign that smear Supervisor Adam Hill with ugly personal innuendo. There is nothing on the flyer that states why Korsgaden is running…
Something old, something green: The Kaleidoscope Inn offers a unique setting for a wedding with a Victorian house surrounded by gardens
Get hitched To find out more about weddings at the Kaleidoscope Inn and Gardens in Nipomo, visit kaleidoscopeinn.com or call (866) 504-5444. The inn is located at 130 E. Dana St. Tucked in behind a tree-lined lawn in Old Town Nipomo sits a 130-year-old blue and white Victorian house with stained glass windows, a house…
Oceano is sick of listening to Lucia
This person, Lucia Casalinuovo (“Oceano has had enough!” Feb. 13), does not speak for Oceano and never has. She has repeatedly been told she does not speak for Oceano. She does not know about “the rule of the good old boys/girls” in Oceano; there is no such rule! If a member of the Oceano Community…
