Cover Story
Weddings 2024
In this year’s annual issue, you can find the vintage cake trend, traditions and where they came from, affordable wedding venues, what’s fashionable, and a brewery to get married in. Kinda your grandma’s cake Vintage-style cakes are taking over weddings with their intricate piping and callback to yesteryears BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL Tradition, superstition Your guide…
Gallery at Marina Square holds joint reception for three March exhibits
As part of welcoming its three new featured artists, Gallery at Marina Square in Morro Bay is holding its next atrium party on Saturday, March 9, from 3 to 5 p.m. Guests of the reception can look forward to viewing three new exhibits, slated to premiere at the gallery on Friday, March 1, and remain…
Ex-SLO County IT employee charged with embezzlement
A former San Luis Obispo County employee met with criminal charges for embezzling at least $250,000 over seven years using a county credit card. Now-fired Information Technology Department supervisor Norman Hibble, 54, allegedly misused the credit card from April 26, 2017, to October 16, 2023, for personal purchases such as DJ equipment, a crossbow and…
Estrella Warbirds Museum hosts WWII talk with David Blakely
Former San Luis Obispo County Supervisor David Blakely is the guest speaker at the Estrella Warbirds Museum’s next monthly dinner program, slated for Wednesday, March 6. David’s father was Lt. Col. Everett Blakely, a B-17 pilot with the 100th Bomb Group during World War II. The speaker will discuss some of his father’s missions while…
Grover Beach plans to crack down on signs
The days of large, unattractive signs will soon be over for Grover Beach business owners as the city recently beefed up its sign policy. During the Feb. 26 City Council meeting, council members decided to move forward with a previously approved sign regulation policy that was put on pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. It prohibits…
Chef Rusty Quirk puts her unique stamp on legendary Linnaea’s Café in downtown SLO
Local treasure Linnaea’s Café, located at 1110 Garden St. in San Luis Obispo, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday to Sunday closing time is extended to 8 p.m. and sometimes later for special events. For more information, go to linnaeascafe.com and follow the restaurant on Instagram and Facebook @linnaeascafe. Originally from…
Federal grant boosts Paso Robles Airport improvements
The Paso Robles Airport runway is getting a facelift thanks to $594,055 in grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). “This is going to allow us to extend the lifetime of the runway, and by extension, the airport itself pretty significantly,” Paso Robles Airport Manager Mark Scandalis told New Times. With this funding, he…
Drive-Away Dolls is charming but lightweight
DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS What’s it rated? RWhat’s it worth, Glen? MatineeWhat’s it worth, Anna? MatineeWhere’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Park, Stadium 10 Ethan Coen directs this queer comedy co-written with his wife, Tricia Cooke, about free-spirited Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and her uptight friend, Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), who decide to take an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee,…
REACT Alliance plans March 9 protest of Morro Bay wind project
One local group plans to protest California’s offshore wind projects on March 9. REACT Alliance is organizing a Save Our Seas march beginning at noon in front of the Morro Bay Veterans Memorial Building. Participants will walk down to the T-Pier and meet with local fishermen and discuss the impacts of wind farms and return…
Lover, Stalker, Killer
What’s it rated? Not rated When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Nothing ever goes wrong in a love triangle, right? There’s a lot of true crime out there, but even in a world filled with stories of love gone wrong, secret identities, and crazy exes, the story of Dave Kroupa, Cari Farver, and Liz Goyler…
Boy Swallows Universe
What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Based on the bestselling novel by Trenton Dalton, this family dramedy centers on precocious Eli Bell (Felix Cameron), a 13-year-old living with his selectively nonverbal older brother, Gus (Lee Tiger Halley), mother Frances (Phoebe Tonkin), and stepfather Lyle (Travis Fimmel), who struggles to provide for…
Zen Mountain Poets play The Siren on March 8, in support of their charting new album, Stellar Ignition
I imagine first-time listeners of Zen Mountain Poets might experience what early listeners of the Grateful Dead might have felt: a sense that this music is authentic, heartfelt, organic, and honest. The group’s only gotten better as they’ve progressed, and like the Dead, they boast a long list of alumni. Their current incarnation features Robyn…
Kinda your grandma’s cake: Vintage-style cakes are taking over weddings with their intricate piping and callback to yesteryears
Take the cake Find SeaBreeze Cupcakes & Sweet Treats at 3001 Broad St., SLO, or call (805) 242-6588. Drop by Arroyo Grande Bakery at 1231 E. Grand Ave, Arroyo Grande, or call (805) 489-1141. Place your order from Bri’s Sweet Retreat at (559) 908-9462 and pick it up at 1525 25th St., Oceano. The Cakery…
Tradition, superstition: Your guide to weddings weirdness
Most of us know a white bridal gown signals purity and innocence, but why do brides carry a bouquet? Why are wedding cakes tiered? Why isn’t the groom supposed to see the bride before the ceremony? Why does the bride’s father walk her down the aisle? Why, why, why do weddings have so many specific…
Married on a budget: Discover local hidden gems with gorgeous scenery at an affordable cost
SLO County has some of the most beautiful scenery in California, including vineyards, botanical gardens, historic sites, and scenic views of the Central Coast—making it an ideal place to plan a wedding. But weddings can get pretty pricey on the Central Coast, including the costs of renting the perfect venue. Here are a few local…
End paid parking
I filed a complaint with the California Bar Association against the Paso Robles city attorney. At stake here is the principle of rule of law, whether we take laws seriously or just let government officials use their position to evade justice and do whatever they want without facing the consequences. My point is the city…
False choice
What does it take to hold a Congressman accountable? An election? Well, it most certainly isn’t this election. In SLO County, we’re now blessed—blessed, I say—to be part of not one, but two congressional districts. We get double the fun! In the northern half of our county, incumbent U.S. Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-Monterey) is running…
Unique expression: Central Coast wedding planners and dress shop owners say wedding fashion is both classic and changing
Call the pros Check out Moondance Bridal’s styles or book an appointment at moondancebridal.com. Reach out to Perfect Timing by Danette Castillo through perfecttimingbydanettecastillo.com and Brenda Cali at Gatherings for Good through gatheringsforgood.com. Weddings are about fashion, style, and individual expression as much as they are about bringing two people together. Every person getting married…
Green Party candidate calls for fresh leadership in the 19th District
Incumbent U.S. Representative and Democrat Jimmy Panetta faces two challengers for his 19th District seat. On March 5, voters across parts of three counties will choose from among Panetta, Green Party candidate Sean Dougherty, and Republican Jason Anderson for their congressional representative. The primary candidates who receive the highest and second-highest number of votes will…
Easy as pie: Bang the Drum Brewery offers as an unorthodox alternative for wedding magic
Your own drum Visit bangthedrumbrewery.com or email kimberly@bangthedrumbrewery.com for more information on wedding pricing and venue information. Bang the Drum is located at 1150 Laurel Lane in SLO. Ever wanted to combine delicious house-made sweet treats alongside in-house beer at a brewery for an unforgettable wedding? Bang the Drum Brewery in San Luis Obispo has…
Atascadero RV lot developers drop project after illness, financial uncertainty
A controversial RV Storage Lot along the Salinas River in Atascadero will no longer be built after its developers requested the city to pull the permit. “VSM (VS Marine LLC.) has reluctantly determined it cannot move forward with the project,” VSM’s Kris Gustafson told the city in a letter on Jan. 18. “VSM hereby requests…
Lena Rushing and Co. showcase the strange side of storytelling with new Bunker exhibition
See it soon Catch The German Baby Sperm Incident’s exhibit opening during Art After Dark on Friday, March 1, from 5 to 8 p.m. at The Bunker SLO, 810 Orcutt Road. To find out more about work by Lena Rushing and her future art exhibits, visit lenarushing.com or follow her on Instagram @lenarushing. Art is…
Congressional candidates talk immigration, cutting back military spending
Incumbent Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-Santa Barbara) is running for his fourth term in the March primary, battling against a Republican and a fellow Democrat to represent parts of San Luis Obispo and Ventura counties and all of Santa Barbara County. A statement provided to New Times by Carbajal’s senior advisor and communications director, Ian Mariani,…
