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 […]
Murder endorsed by Americans is dangerous
Posted inFood & Drink
Strange Family Vineyards opens new tasting room in Los Olivos, blending wine, botanicals, and family values
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
The smell of Musk
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 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
BINGEABLE: The Madness
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
Paulding needs to prioritize the environment before it’s too late
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 […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
NEW FLICKS: The Six Triple Eight
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
San Luis Obispo County doesn’t really care about protecting the dunes or Arroyo Grande Creek
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. […]
Posted inMusic, Arts & Culture
Juror #2 explores the moral implications of a conflict of interest
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 […]
Posted inOpinion
Wait, wait, wait
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 […]
Posted inNews
SLO Noor Foundation offers free health care for those without insurance throughout the Central Coast
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 […]
Posted inNews
Political Watch: January 2, 2025
• 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 […]
Posted inNews
Santa Barbara County supervisors approve path for wine business improvement district
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 […]