New SLO city goal could target frats

Author

Carly Heltzel
February 18, 2025

Good morning. It’s Tuesday, and I’m reading about the origins of the “Chipotle for quesadillas” that is taking over Central California… including San Luis Obispo. Onto the five Cal Poly, SLO and California stories you need to know for today.

1.

SLO City Council made “Neighborhood Livability” a goal for its next budget — which would largely target student partying and illegal satellite fraternity houses. Long-term residents expressed concerns of these satellite houses violating low-density zoning laws and creating excessive noise and disruption, comparing their presence to a “nightclub” moving in next door. Some neighbors have moved away as a result, but high housing prices elsewhere prevent others from doing the same. This goal came out of a city workshop that identified livability as one of six goals to guide the council for the next two years. 

2.

Cal Poly’s School of Education just lost a $4.6 million federal grant that was awarded in October to address local teacher shortages. The Department of Education said it revoked the money because the program was “inconsistent with” its new priorities. The funding went toward collaboration with nearby school districts to increase training for and retention of their teachers. The DOE also said the cut was aimed to eliminate federal funding for DEI programs that “unlawfully discriminate.” One professor said this could affect availability of special education services and support for English Language Learners. Other professors have called the move “demoralizing” and “devastating.”

3.

Over 1,000 protesters gathered across the county yesterday to demonstrate on “Not My President Day,” with over 500 standing along Los Osos Valley road in SLO. The local protests were a part of a nationwide demonstration that took root in most major cities to rail against the federal changes under President Trump and Elon Musk (read about San Francisco and Los Angeles’). Several demonstrators compared Trump to a fascist and a king, while others expressed concerns over protections of social safety nets and long term stability of the government. The event’s organizer said everyone came together to amplify one uniting message: “Just stop the madness.”

4.

SLO ranked No. 2 in the U.S. for outdoor getaways on a lifestyle news’ newest list. The city was second only to Bend, Oregon and one of two California spots that made the top 10 (No. 6 was Joshua Tree). The site said hiking and surfing access contributed to its high ranking and said SLO is “the perfect base to explore” surrounding areas. Not to mention its charm. The rankings were determined based on the ability for a vacationer to unplug and get some fresh air. “The Central Coast might just be California’s best-kept secret,” the site said.

5.

A subculture of hyper-specific bumper stickers has arisen in LA — though I would venture to say its made its way up to SLO, too. Whether the stickers are making a play on classic bumper decals of the past or forging a completely new genre of weird, more and more cars are decked out with a rainbow of emblems signifying the cultural loyalties of its driver. Sometimes, it starts trying to cover up a scratch on your car’s paint, with one adhesive addict likening the stickers to a less permanent tattoo. Just maybe a little more out there. “You want to put a sticker on your car that’s so obscure that whoever finds it funny is destined to be your friend,” one enthusiast said.