

Cover Story
Lens flare: Central Coast photographers share their perspectives in the New Times’ annual Winning Images contest
A picture is more than just the image it portrays. It encompasses the way the photographer who captured it sees light and dark, angles and lines, animate and inanimate. Each snapshot is as unique as the person holding the camera. Since 1994, New Times Media Group has invited local photographers to show us life from…
Lens flare: Central Coast photographers share their perspectives in the New Times’ Winning Images contest for 2019
A picture is more than just the image it portrays. It encompasses the way the photographer who captured it sees light and dark, angles and lines, animate and inanimate. Each snapshot is as unique as the person holding the camera. Since 1994, New Times Media Group has invited local photographers to show us life from…
Raiders all-star Dan Conners will be remembered during a June 23 celebration of life at the SLO Elks Lodge
For pro football players in the 1960s and early 1970s, few things were as terrifying as seeing Raiders middle linebacker Dan Conners coming at you. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound crusher had a knack for finding the hole—or making the hole. Conners’ 15 career pass interceptions remain the most ever by a Raiders linebacker, and his two…
BedaFest brings German food, beer, and good music to Hacienda Antigua on June 28 to 29
Editor’s note: Beda’s Biergarten let New Times know on June 25 that BedaFest was canceled as originally planned due to an “unforseen situation” with the venue. The Friday night pig roast will now be a Saturday night pig roast and the Saturday family event was canceled. The pig roast party on June 29 will be…
SLO County puts hemp industry on hold
Fearing an influx of unregulated grows, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors passed a commercial hemp moratorium at its June 18 meeting. County supervisors voted 4-1 to adopt an urgency ordinance prohibiting all local hemp cultivation, with exceptions for research grows and about a dozen others that already received approvals from the SLO…
Phơ 4 U in Atascadero serves up Vietnam’s signature rice noodle soup and sweet pearl tea drinks
Post-beach lunch There is no better place to get tasty authentic phơ and yummy tea and boba drinks than Phơ 4 U in Atascadero. The location is darling, and the prices are from two decades ago. Phơ 4 U is located at 5985 Entrada Ave. in Atascadero. Open Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10…
Cal Poly parking program goes digital for fall 2019
Cal Poly’s Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) is launching a license plate recognition software that will be fully implemented by fall 2019, with the goal of eliminating parking permits. Matt Lazier, a Cal Poly spokesperson, said students would register their license plate and vehicle make and model into the online parking system when purchasing their…
Cilantro pesto
When summer arrives each year and the cilantro is growing fast, I like to make a version of pesto that I adapted from an Afghan farmers’ market stand in Marin County. Cilantro, apple cider vinegar, and garlic have more health benefits than I can count (including detox), and I love the combination of flavors. I…
Supervisors look to shake up Paso groundwater rules
As SLO County prepares to extend regulations that restrict water use out of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, supervisors are requesting policy changes that they say will help protect residents and small farmers. Current county rules require farmers planting new crops with more than 5 acre-feet of water demand per year to offset their water…
Strength in compromise
Cities are difficult to govern. They are not empowered, protected, or even recognized by the U.S. Constitution. They cannot print money or set interest rates. They cannot control the people and businesses that move into them, or move out. They sit between the rock and hard place of raising enough tax revenue to cover the…
Movin’ and groovin’
It’s time to Roll out the Barrels! Get your complimentary wine glass and wristband so you can walk the vineyards, barrel-sample new vintages, and enjoy 30 wineries and local chefs dishing out delicious food Thursday, June 20, to Saturday, June 22. Hosted by SLO Coast Wine, the festival’s opening event, Barrels in the Plaza, will…
Impeachment of Trump is a no-brainer
Articles of impeachment are based on treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors. The charge of high crimes and misdemeanors covers allegations of misconduct by officials, such as perjury of oath, abuse of authority, bribery, intimidation, misuse of assets, failure to supervise, dereliction of duty, unbecoming conduct, refusal to obey a lawful order, chronic…
Fresh faces
Calling all Cal Poly and Cuesta students still lingering around this summer! This Tuesday, June 25, starting at 4:30 p.m. (and here on after until otherwise notified), Taco Tuesdays are on at Bristols Cider House, 3220 El Camino Real, Atascadero. Taqueria Don Jose will be serving fresh and delish Mexican food and tacos for just…
Congress does not deserve a pay raise!
The House of Representatives’ approval rating hovers at the 20 percent mark. If you had an employee who was only 20 percent efficient, what would you do? Give that employee a raise? House Democrats are so pleased with their recent performance in Congress that they believe taxpayers should be giving them a $4,500-a-year pay raise!…
Five Cities Fire is funded for another year, but 2020 is uncertain
On June 12, Oceano was the last of the Five Cities Fire Authority trio—which includes Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach—to approve a second amendment to its joint powers agreement that will fund fire services for another year. The amendment also established a backup plan if Oceano leaves the agreement due to a lack of funds.…
Keep beautiful Oso Flaco Lake pristine
Thank you for your wonderful article on Oso Flaco Lake (“Good vibes at Oso Flaco,” June 13). I love this area, and the plans by the greedy developers will change this gem forever. Please have the New Times take a stance against changing this beautiful preserve. There is no compromise except keeping it pristine! Susan…
Now hiring
Need some dough for your noodle habit? Phơ 4 U is looking for a food server. Call (805) 799-7117 or visit the establishment at 5985 Entrada Ave., Atascadero. Δ Flavor writer Beth Giuffre always knows what to do with kale. Send leafy greens and newsy bites through the editor at clanham@newtimesslo.com.
California ramblings
Nearly 50 years ago, I hopped in an old car and traveled across the country, landing in California. The old car (the beast) broke down in Boulder, Colorado, for two weeks when the oil pump failed and the engine froze, costing a good deal of the money I’d saved while in Asia. I wandered in…
Central Coast teen receives presidential honor for helping animals in crisis
From the steps of the state Capitol to the front lines of a wildfire, 17-year-old Santa Maria resident Lesly Diaz’s passion for helping animals has led her to several unique places. Since she was in sixth grade, Diaz has worked as a volunteer for Central Coast nonprofit DogE911, where she’s learned all about disaster response…
Freak-out!
Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! Hemp is coming! Hide the children! Grab your pitchforks! Have a conniption! Go apoplectic! Write a sternly worded letter to the SLO County Board of Supervisors! Good grief, people! Get a grip! Hemp will not be the end of life as we know it any more than cannabis has led to…
The Dead Don’t Die is slow and weird … like a zombie
THE DEAD DON’T DIE What’s it rated? R What’s it worth, Anna? Matinee What’s it worth, Glen? Matinee Where’s it showing? The Palm Writer-director Jim Jarmusch (Stranger Than Paradise, Dead Man, Broken Flowers, Only Lovers Left Alive, Paterson) helms this horror-comedy about a zombie uprising in the normally peaceful and sleepy town of Centerville. Can…
Group Show at Cuesta’s Harold J. Miossi Gallery tests the limits of the art world
On display Group Show will be on display at Cuesta College’s Harold J. Miossi Gallery in San Luis Obispo from June 27 through Aug. 9. An opening reception will be held June 27 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., with an artist’s talk at 5:30 p.m. Visit cuesta.edu for more information. There’s the business of making…
Sound off
New Times readers took to Facebook to share their thoughts on our June 13 opinion piece by the Shredder, “Snob polisher.”
Paso Robles artists bring two- and three-dimensional pieces to life
On display Perspectives, featuring the works of members of the Paso Robles Art Association, will be on display at Studios on the Park through July 3. Visit studiosonthepark.org for more information. While some artists are obsessed with making two-dimensional art look three-dimensional, Paso Robles artist Nancy Vest simply prefers to make art that is actually…
Bingeable: A.P. Bio
When? 2017-2019 What’s it rated? TV-13 Where’s it available? NBC, Hulu, Amazon When Jack Griffin (Glenn Howerton) first walks into his classroom, chucks an apple against the wall, and proceeds to tell his students to “start to shut up” within the first few minutes of A.P. Bio, I thought for a moment that I was…
Vanessa Veiock holds photography exhibit at Linnaea’s Cafe
The Art After Dark reception for Instinctive Curiosity, Intentional Connection—an exhibition showcasing photography by Vanessa Veiock—takes place at Linnaea’s Cafe on Friday, July 5, from 6 to 9 p.m. This show’s theme explores the notion of photography’s value in a social media driven world. The project began as an online gallery where guests had the…
Film Listings, 6/20/19 – 6/27/19
All theater listings are as of Friday, June 21. ALADDIN What’s it rated? PG What’s it worth? Full price Where’s it showing? Downtown Centre, Galaxy, Park, Stadium 10, Sunset Drive-In Pick Co-writer and director Guy Richie (Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword) helms this live-action remake of Disney’s…
Woody Benton will speak at watercolor society meeting
Watercolor artist Woody Benton will be the guest speaker during the June program meeting of the Central Coast Watercolor Society, which takes place at the SLO United Methodist Church on Tuesday, June 25, at 7 p.m. Benton currently teaches watercolor classes in various locations in SLO County, and his works can be found in galleries…
SLO, Grover Beach raise recycling rates
As communities across the U.S. grapple with China’s recent pullout from the recycling market, local cities are raising their curbside waste service rates to adjust. During the week of June 17, the cities of San Luis Obispo and Grover Beach approved garbage/recycling rate increases of 14 and 10 percent, respectively. They join Pismo Beach, Atascadero,…
Tooth and Nail Winery hosts Banksy-themed paint bar
Artists Jami Ray and Josh Talbot instruct a paint bar at Tooth and Nail Winery on Sunday, June 30, from 3 to 5 p.m. Participants will complete a Banksy-themed painting, inspired by the artist’s distinctive street art. Tickets are $50 and are available in advance at my805tix.com. Admission includes all art materials and a glass…






