A few visitors shielded their eyes from the sun on a warm December day as they peered into the eucalyptus trees at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove trying to spot a cluster of orange and black wings. But the trees and sky were fairly empty. Two monarchs fluttered around at about eye level by…
In 2020-21, an estimated 2,000 Western monarch butterflies were counted at overwintering sites. In 2022-23, that count hit 300,000. But this winter is expected to be super low, with the count ongoing and a little less than 200 counted at Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove this year—and more than 10,000 counted last year. So…
Juror #2 What’s it rated? PG-13 What’s it worth, Anna? Full price What’s it worth, Glen? Full price Where’s it showing? Max Clint Eastwood (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Gran Torino) directs this legal thriller written by Jonathan A. Abrams about journalist Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult), who’s selected to serve on the jury of a high-profile…
If San Luis Obispo County genuinely cared about the natural habitat of the Arroyo Grande Creek, it would oppose the Wildlife Habitat Protection Plan (WHPP) recently released by State Parks’ Off-Highway Vehicle Division. Vehicle crossings of the creek on Oceano Beach cause significant environmental harm, and the WHPP does nothing to mitigate these ongoing issues.…
The Six Triple Eight What’s it rated? PG-13 When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Writer-director Tyler Perry (Madea’s Family Reunion, Dairy of a Mad Black Woman) helms this World War II drama based on Kevin M. Hymel’s 2019 WWII History magazine article, “Fighting a Two-Front War,” about the 855 Black women of the 6888th Central…
Jimmy Paulding is a legacy politician with legacy ideas about the environment (“Environmental groups are threatening South SLO County’s water security,” Dec. 19). Stuck in the past, oblivious to the world around him. It would be interesting to know the last time he left his desk and took a walk outside to feel an actual…
The Madness What’s it rated? TV-MA When? 2024 Where’s it showing? Netflix Created by Stephen Belber (Tape, Drifting Elegant), this gripping thriller explores race relations, social and mainstream media, wealth distribution, big tech, political influence, and ultimately conspiracy. Colman Domingo stars as Muncie Daniels, an on-the-rise CNN pundit on the cusp of getting his own…
Elon Musk. It sounds like the name of a fine Italian fragrance. But don’t be fooled, as it really reeks of roadkill skunk. This gazillionaire, who just bought a presidency, is not interested in the welfare of “the people,” rather in furthering his own enormous wealth and ego. Constitution be damned, the combination of Trump…
Bubbles and botanicals Call (805) 315-3662 or visit strangefamilyvineyards.com for more info on Strange Family Vineyards. The tasting room, located at 2933 Grand Ave. in Los Olivos, is open seven days a week. Reservations are recommended but not required. Born from a desire to reconnect with the land and grow something meaningful, Strange Family Vineyards…
Recently, certain segments of our society have elevated two murderers to the status of champions of their causes. Daniel Penny killed a homeless, mentally ill man with a choke hold, and Luigi Mangione killed an executive of a health insurance company. This occurs in the context of polls taken over the last few years finding…
San Luis Obispo County is officially responsible for delivering Oceano’s fire services now that the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) approved divestiture of those services from the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD). Following LAFCO’s Dec. 19, 2024, approval, the county, which has partnered with Five Cities Fire Authority (FCFA), took over fire services on Jan.…
Prints to ponder The Lompoc Valley Art Association features block prints from local printmaker Angelina LaPointe until Jan. 26. Visit lompocart.org to find out more. The gallery is located at 119 E. Cypress Ave., Lompoc. More of LaPointe’s artwork can be found on her Etsy shop at etsy.com/shop/TheSidecarPress. With every deliberate carving and layer of…
The Western Monarch Trail continues its steady advance along the Central Coast of California with a set of educational panels and a native flower garden that just touched down in San Luis Obispo County. San Luis Obispo’s Mission Plaza joins sites like Carpinteria Creek, the Nipomo Native Garden, and Pismo State Beach Monarch Butterfly Grove…
With Temecula’s wine industry as a guidepost, the Santa Barbara County Vintners Association aims to increase local wine sales and tourism by more than doubling its revenue. From September 2022 to September 2023, Temecula’s wine industry visitation increased by 18 percent, thanks to its wine business improvement district (BID), according to vintners association Chief Executive…
San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre’s Academy of Creative Theatre presents its production of Twelfth Night from Jan. 10 to 19. The ensemble of local students offers a fresh interpretation of one of Shakespeare’s classic comedies, SLO REP said in a press release. Set in Illyria, the comedy about love, identity, and mischief tells the story…
• On Dec. 19, 2024, the U.S. Senate approved U.S. Rep. Salud Carbajal’s (D-Santa Barbara) bill to rename the post office on E. Battles Road in Santa Maria in honor of Larry Lavagnino, the city’s former mayor and City Council member. “Every community should be so lucky to have a Larry Lavagnino,” Carbajal said in…
After he relocated from Afghanistan to the Central Coast, Dr. Ahmad Nooristani was surprised by the lack of health care available for people without insurance. In an effort to change that, he founded the SLO Noor Foundation to offer free health care for the uninsured. SLO Noor Foundation Practice Manager Barbara Alarcon said the company…
