SLO LIFE
MAR
2019
7 Best Ice Cream Spots in SLO! PG. 12
5 DIYs To Make your House a Home PG. 18
YOUR GUIDE TO ALL THINGS HOUSING AND FOOD IN SAN LUIS OBISPO! Advertising Supplement
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EDITOR’S NOTE It’s a lazy Saturday morning and your friends are just waking from their slumber, as the sunlight slips through your living room windows. You decide to go get something savory at your go-to breakfast spot. It’s a Monday evening and you take a break from seemingly never-ending studying to satisfy your sweet tooth after all the work you’ve been putting in. After perusing your options, you decide on your favorite ice cream shop. It’s a Friday evening, and after going out, your friends gather on your couch discussing the evening, and reminiscing on all of the good times you’ve shared. Your college apartment and local eateries are where some of the memories that define your college experience are made. We hope in this special edition, you can find guidance as you secure housing for next year and new local eateries to try out with your friends. From DIY’s to make your house a home to March Madness deals, we’ve got you covered. Special Sections Editor Isabel Hughes
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ISABEL HUGHES
TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 12 18 22 28 34 38
SLO Housing Essentials 7 Spots To Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth In SLO 5 DIYs To Make Your House a Home Vegan & Vegetarian Resources The Plastic Straw Ban : One Year Later Best Spots in SLO To Watch March Madness On Campus Resources For Off Campus Housing
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SLO HOUSING ESSENTIALS
BY LAURYN LUESCHER
Continuing students at Cal Poly have many different options when it comes to their living situation — and with a competitive housing market in San Luis Obispo, it can be challenging to secure housing for the school year. Here are some of the most important things to know when trying to decide where to live next year, along with some essential tips.
Photo by: Connor Frost
START EARLY AND HAVE A PLAN Regardless of whether you are planning to live on or off campus, one of the best things you can do is know your plan ahead of time so that you have more housing options. From the beginning, establish how many roommates you plan on having, the number of bedrooms and bathrooms you’ll need and
whether or not you are sharing rooms. Decide how many cars you and your roommates will be bringing and how far you are willing to be from campus. Admin of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Mustang Parents Facebook Page Traci Holmes Libby explained how crucial it is to start the housing process early.
“THE LONGER YOU WAIT, THE FARTHER AWAY FROM CAMPUS YOUR RENTAL IS LIKELY TO BE,” Libby said. ON-CAMPUS VS OFF-CAMPUS This is often one of the toughest decisions for parents and students to make and requires students to take a variety of different factors into account. Off-campus housing can be beneficial for students that would utilize a 12-month lease — for example, students who work in San Luis Obispo, SLO Days leaders or students who will be taking classes over the summer. Other benefits of off-campus housing include not having to find storage over the summer and the possibility of living in the same place for multiple years. Journalism freshman Emily Brower choose to live in an off-campus apartment next year because of price and proximity. “I choose to live off campus because of the price,” Brower said. “It ended up being much cheaper, especially when I can live in a Mustang Village Apartment for $800 a month and living in PCV can cost about $1200 a month. Mustang Village also ends up being just as close as PCV and I get to have my own place.” For students who want to live off campus, most places will be accepting applications
Photo by: Connor Frost
throughout winter and spring quarter, how ever places are secured on a first come, first serve basis. Living in on-campus apartments in either Poly Canyon Village (PCV) or Cerro Vista is another option for continuing students and also has its advantages and disadvantages. According to University Housing Media Coordinator Julia Bluff, on-campus housing offers students many perks that cannot be offered anywhere else. Bluff said on-campus housing offers access to support like Resident Advisers (RAs) and Coordinators of Student Development (CSDs) along with eCampus Health and Wellbeing and the Cross Cultural Center. S LO L I F E 2 0 1 9 | 7
University housing provides students with places to study, socialize and work on their personal growth and development.
“THAT SUPPORT AND THOSE RESOURCES BENEFIT RESIDENTS IN CRITICAL WAYS,” Bluff said. “Students who live on campus tend to be more academically successful and have higher retention than students who live off campus.” According to Bluff, in 2015 University Housing found that students living on-campus had an average GPA of a 3.03, compared to a 2.83 for off-campus residents. In the same year they also found that second-year retention was at 95 percent for students living on-campus compared to 82 percent for students living off-campus. Bluff said University Housing is always trying to expand what they offer based on student feedback. “For example, we just revamped our fitness center in PCV and we are collaborating with 8 | M U S TA N G M E D I A G R O U P
Campus Health and Wellbeing to bring satellite services to PCV,” Bluff said. “We have a lot more projects on the way.” Freshman political science major Sophie Moore decided to live in PCV based on convenience and academics. “I know I’ll be better about focusing on my schoolwork and going to class since it’s more convenient,” Moore said. “Plus, I won’t have to worry about taking the bus to school and I can just buy a parking pass on campus.” TIPS FOR SECURING OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING Applications to live on campus are open and will remain open until all of the spots are full. If you decide to live off campus, here are some important tips to keep in mind to ensure that you get what you are looking for. During your house/apartment hunt, create a group resume with important and impressive information for the landlord: GPA, major,
wholesome hobbies and a primary contact. While this is not required, it will help distinguish your group in properties with many applicants.
ASK ABOUT UTILITIES, INTERNET, PARKING AND LAUNDRY. CONSIDER CREATING A SPREADSHEET TO COMPARE PROPERTIES. During your house hunt, understand that scams are possible. Never pay any money until you have personally seen the property. Whether or not you choose to live on or off campus, it is important to keep in mind things like your lifestyle, roommate situation and price to find a place that will be the most conducive to your success and wellbeing.
Photo by: Connor Frost
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7 SPOTS TO SATISFY YOUR SWEET TOOTH IN SLO! BY AVA FRY
With warm weather comes sweet tooth cravings. Choosing an ice cream shop can be difficult, so we made a list of seven places in San Luis Obispo where you can find traditional, nitrogen or rolled ice cream to satisfy your sweet tooth.
TRADITIONAL ICE CREAM M CCONNELL’S FINE ICE CREAM McConnell’s was founded in Santa Barbara in 1949, and has grown to offer ice cream in Downtown Los Angeles, Studio City, Los Feliz, Pacific Palisades and San Luis Obispo. According to their website, McConnell’s makes their ice cream completely from scratch by pasteurizing local, grass-grazed milk and
DOC BURNSTEIN'S, SAN LUIS OBISPO Photo by: Luke Deal
cream to create colorful swirls and ribbons in their ice cream. DOC BURNSTEIN’S Doc Burnstein’s has become an ice cream staple in SLO with its Willy Wonka inspired ice cream lab. Founder Greg Steinberger said ice cream reminds people of when they were young, and it’s an opportunity to create new memories.
“WE’RE NOT IN THE ICE CREAM BUSINESS, WE’RE IN THE MEMORIES BUSINESS,” Steinberger said.
Photo by: Luke Deal
Doc Burnstein’s is also a registered benefit corporation, which is a for-profit corporate entity that takes care of the needs of its employees, the community and the environment. Doc Burnstein’s does this by giving back 10 percent of its profits to the community, providing scholarships and tuition assistance for its staff and using compostable cups and spoons. They will be utilizing paper straws very soon according to Steinberger. Doc Burnstein’s has many flavors to choose from, including the classic Salted Caramel, Motor Oil, Orcutt Crunch and A Trip To The Dentist. B ATCH According to their Facebook page, Batch offers old fashioned ice cream, which can be paired with their freshly baked cookies to make an
ice cream sandwich. Batch offers everything from a scoop of Marshmallow Crunch between two Fudge cookies to a classic scoop of vanilla between peanut butter cookies. They also have vegan and gluten-free chocolate chip cookies and dairy-free Bing Cherry sorbet. NEGRANTI CREAMERY A new ice cream shop is coming to San Luis Obispo in Spring 2019. Negranti Creamery — which started in Paso Robles — is opening a new location, serving the same sheep’s milk ice cream that keeps customers coming back for more. According to their website, Negranti’s ice cream is “lactose intolerant friendly” and gluten free. Look out for more details on Negranti’s new location in San Luis Obispo, or if you can’t wait to try their S LO L I F E 2 0 1 9 | 1 3
sheep’s milk ice cream, you can head over to Paso Robles.
NITROGEN ICE CREAM N ITE CREAMERY Nino and Cheryl Eng, co-owners of Nite Creamery, brought nitrogen ice cream to San Luis Obispo in 2018. To make the perfect ice cream, they start off with a vanilla or sweet cream base, mix in the ingredients for each flavor, put it in a mixer and shoot in liquid nitrogen which freezes it in seconds. Nino said liquid nitrogen makes ice cream creamier while preventing the formation of ice crystals in the ice cream. Nino and Cheryl started their first location of Nite Creamery in Santa Maria because they wanted to create a place for people to hang out with friends and have a good time. Nino said the best part of the job is “seeing all the happy faces” when people come in and see the nitrogen freeze their ice cream right in front of their eyes. They are opening a third location in a nearby city. More information and updates can be found on the Instagram page @nitecreamery.
NITE CREAMERY, SAN LUIS OBISPO Photo by: Luke Deal 1 4 | M U S TA N G M E D I A G R O U P
ROLLED ICE CREAM R OLL’D Rolled ice cream starts out similarly to nitrogen ice cream, with a cream base; however, the process of making it is more laborious. The toppings are mixed into the base on a 20 degree fahrenheit cold plate. Then, the ice cream is spread out in a thin layer and rolled into tight spirals, which you can customize with all kinds of different toppings. Roll’d employee Tyler Penton explained that you have to be really quick when rolling ice cream. One of his first times rolling ice cream, Penton said the ice cream “got stuck to the plate and [he] freaked out” in front of a customer. General manager Vincent Penner said his favorite thing is seeing kids get excited about seeing their ice cream rolled. M ILK IN IT If you’re a fan of rolled ice cream, then you’re in luck. Milk In It just opened in Jan. 2019 and they offer Thai-rolled ice cream, milk tea and boba tea. So, if you’re craving some ice cream or boba, head over to Milk In It.
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CAMPUS HEALTH & WELLBEING SERVICES primary care services immunizations laboratory tests x-rays pharmacy services sexual & reproductive health services individual & couples counseling crisis care group care prevention education & outreach peer leadership development survivor support services recovery support services food pantry massage chair travel clinic 805-756-1211
chw.calpoly.edu
@mycpwell
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wellbeing@calpoly.edu
PEER HEALTH
Private one-on-one consultations, tabling events and workshops and seminars to the Cal Poly community. Interested in becoming a peer health educator? wellbeing@calpoly.edu
TEAMS
EROS Educational Resources On Sexuality REAL Reach Out Empower Accept Listen HEAT Health Enrichment Action Team TLC
Thoughtful Lifestyle Choices
805-756-6181
After Hours? Psychological Crisis Line 805-756-2511 Nurse Advice Line 805-756-1211
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Photo by: Samantha Spitz
5 DIYS TO MAKE YOUR HOUSE A HOME BY AVA FRY
The housing process in San Luis Obispo can be stressful, but once you have found your home for next year, do-it-yourself (DIY) projects can bring peace and personality to your living space. A little elbow grease and ingenuity can go a long way when turning over-looked or recycled items into creations to show off to friends and family. There are many reasons to DIY rather than buy. When you put time into making something on your own, you have the power to decide exactly what the final product will look like. Store-bought items may require less work, but they lack the uniqueness of a DIY. There are plenty of DIY projects that are possible on a college budget — and you don’t have to sacrifice style when you prioritize price. Cal Poly Craft Center ceramics instructor 1 8 | M U S TA N G M E D I A G R O U P
Emma Gray is a pro-DIYer who has finished some pieces for her own home, including a bed frame made out of a second-hand bookshelf. This DIY project gives her the best of both worlds: storage and sleep. This particular may seem advanced, but Gray encourages new crafters.
“WITH ENOUGH RESEARCH AND PLANNING, ANYONE CAN BUILD SOMETHING THEMSELVES,” Gray said. Before taking on DIY projects, Gray recommends having a measuring tape, a small toolkit and paint. Once the plan is set and the appropriate supplies are in hand, it is time to get building.
If woodworking or other bigger tools are needed, the Craft Center has it covered. Gray said she avoids large costs in buying size-specific materials by using the Craft Center’s woodworking facilities. The Cal Poly Craft Center, conveniently located on the ground floor of the University Union (building 65, room 111), is there to support students in their creative endeavors. Students interested in utilizing the Cal Poly Craft Center are required to attend a one-hour safety walk through. After going over safety protocol, students can purchase a Craft Center day-pass for $3.
“IT’S FUN TO DO PROJECTS WITH OTHER PEOPLE TOO — IT MAKES IT HARDER TO MAKE MISTAKES BECAUSE YOU HAVE TWO MINDS WORKING AT ONE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF JUST ONE, SO GRAB YOUR BUDDIES AND JUST HAVE FUN WITH IT,” Gray said. Here is a list of easy and affordable projects, which are all rental-friendly, to get inspiration for your dream space:
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SHIP YOUR SLEEP TO THE NEXT LEVEL WITH SOME PALLETS
A mattress is not cheap, and rentals make long-term furniture investments impractical. A bed frame can be formed out of three large shipping pallets stacked on top of each other, eliminating the cost for a box spring as a bonus. They can be hidden under a long duvet or shown off for a rustic look.
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ROCK FROM PAPER WITH SCISSORS The coveted modern marble look can be
faked with marble printed contact paper. Snip it to
local Walmart and is easy to use. Cover nightstands, armoires or bookshelves with it to add a touch of class to any room. Pro Tip: have a straightedge on hand when applying the paper to get rid of air bubbles and a blow-dryer to stretch paper neatly around curves or edges.
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HANG THE WORLD ON YOUR WALLS This paper map is light and will not require
security-deposit damaging holes in the wall. It is
also a great way to share stories with guests. You can keep track of travels and decorate at the same time. Head to Papyrus to find wrapping paper with aesthetic mWaps printed on them, or order some online. Pick up some foam core board and glue the map on so it stays flat. Push pins can be inserted into past visited destinations. The next level DIY-er can add a piece of cute yarn out from each pin and glue on a corresponding picture that captures the essence of the trip.
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ADD SOME GREEN WHILE SAVING SOME
Succulents are the ideal college plant—they
require very little attention, and they’re extremely trendy. Pre-made planters are pricey, and the same succulent array can be created with inexpensive materials. The Dollar Store sells dirt and Walmart has packs of four succulents available along with pots for planting a personal garden.
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SETTING A NEW RECORD FOR STYLE Still have annoying empty wall space? One
can head down to Fred and Betty’s thrift store and
pick up some old records for a dollar each. The records themselves have a vintage look to them and their covers have different artistic designs. Be sure to pick a color scheme so the records can be placed in a collage pattern.
size and save that outdated wood grain furniture. The cheap adhesive paper can be purchased at a S LO L I F E 2 0 1 9 | 1 9
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1704 Tonini Dr, San Luis Obispo, CA, 93405 Phone: (805) 543-7900 | detolosaranch.com
Live the SLO Life in Style! Centrally located by Whole Foods, Target, and beautiful Irish Hills! Hike the trails, enjoy the views, chill by the pool, and soak up the scenery. Available Spaces: Studios, 1 Bedroom Apartments & 2 Bedroom Apartments
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VEGAN & VEGETARIAN RESOURCES BY SOPHIA LINCOLN
Although going to an agriculture school as a vegan or vegetarian may seem daunting, being vegetarian or vegan in San Luis Obispo is very possible through accommodations provided by Cal Poly Dining and local vegan or vegetarian eateries. ON CAMPUS RESOURCES In addition to the “Sustainedibility” vegan section of Cal Poly’s 805 Kitchen, which offers vegan and allergen-free options, there are ample resources offered to vegans and vegetarian students at Cal Poly. Between Cal Poly’s Ethical Eating Club and Cal Poly dietician Kaitlin Gibbons, students have the opportunity to gain knowledge about vegetarian and vegan diets. Gibbons is available in her office right next to 805 Cafe from approximately 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for consultation and advice regarding nutrition, specific food allergies and diets students may have.
Gibbons can help students with specific diets and food allergies obtain accommodations as needed, including specific housing for students who need to cook most of their meals and parking passes for students who need to get groceries. The Disability Resource Center and the Campus Health and Wellbeing Center can also be of service to students with specific dietary needs and health needs. Gibbons is available to work with students with extreme allergies and very restrictive diets individually to set up a plan where 805 chefs can make and deliver meals that specifically adhere to their diet. “I really encourage anyone who is struggling to navigate [being vegan or vegetarian] to come meet with me so that I can really work with them more one on one and show them all of the options [available at Cal Poly],” Gibbons said. Gibbons also encourages students to use the Photo by: Kylie Kowalske
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Photo by: Kylie Kowalske
nutrition calculator, which can be found on the Cal Poly Dining website at calpolydining.com. Cal Poly Ethical Eating Club president Daniela Vazquez said she believes if vegetarian and vegan students understand where to find resources, they will find plenty of them available. She and her club have made it part of their mission to help students learn more about veganism and vegetarianism in San Luis Obispo. “[Ethical Eating Club] is mostly a social club, so we’re really just trying to provide a community for like-minded students,” Vasquez said. Vazquez enjoys purchasing the many frozen vegan meals offered at Campus Market and said she appreciates Cal Poly’s “Sustainedibility” section of 805 Kitchen, as well as the effort to label everything served so that vegan and vegetarian students know what they can and cannot eat. OFF CAMPUS RESOURCES There are also many places for local vegans and vegetarians to meet their dietary needs off campus, including New Earth Superfoods, Vegetable Butcher, Shine Cafe and Bliss Cafe. New Earth Superfoods is a raw and organic vegan and vegetarian restaurant that emphasizes the inclusion of “superfoods,” or foods that are rich in nutrients. New Earth Superfoods aims not just to provide vegan and vegetarian cuisine, but dishes that will give their customers good sources of vitamins and minerals. Similarly, Vegetable Butcher offers vegan and vegetarian options and prioritizes the inclusion of fresh, sustainable cuisine. Shine Cafe is located in Morro Bay, and has an all vegan menu, with a variety of entrees, soups and salads. Like Shine Cafe, Bliss Cafe has an all-vegan kitchen, in addition to a
bakery and juice bar in downtown San Luis Obispo that offers vegan dishes made from “only the highest-quality ingredients,” according to Bliss Cafe manager Dara Stepanek. Inside of Bliss Cafe, there is a self-serve salad bar, a hot food barand a waffle and soft serve bar, all of which customers can utilize for a fresh and quick grab-and-go meal. They also have a dine-in option, where customers can order at the front counter and wait for their food to be made fresh. To ensure their customers are thoroughly nourished, Bliss cafe incorporates a lot of beans, tofu and hummus into their dishes. The large dining room with tables and outlets also makes it a prime study spot.
“WE’RE TRYING TO BUILD COMMUNITY — A KIND OF VIBE WHERE YOU CAN KIND OF COME AND STUDY AND COME AND PLAY AND [IT’S] FAMILY FRIENDLY,” Stepanek said. Stepanek also said Bliss Cafe is trying to attract Cal Poly students to use an app called inKind. Bliss Cafe created this app so customers can preload money onto it and receive “Bliss Credit” for each payment. Through the app, customers can receive discounts and deals. Stepanek said she sees her work at Bliss Cafe as “an act of service [and] an act of love”. As a vegetarian herself, Stepanek praises Bliss Cafe and the fact that “[it’s] the only place in town where a vegan can walk in and know that they one-hundred percent can eat anything on the menu.” S LO L I F E 2 0 1 9 | 2 3
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San Luis Village Apartments 1205 Foothill Blvd & 204 California Blvd This location is close to campus and features a quiet complex. Water, trash, and parking included! Call for more information 805.544.9072 www.SanLuisVillageApartmentsslo.com
Fairview Apartments 1630 Fairview Street This location is close to downtown and features a quiet complex. Water, trash, and parking included! Call for more information 805.546.0377 www.FairviewApartmentsslo.com
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THE PLASTIC STRAW BAN ONE YEAR LATER
BY LAUREN WALIKE
THE PROGRESSION OF THE PLASTIC STRAW BAN Enjoying a delicious, cold smoothie, whether you’re walking around campus or studying at the library, no longer includes a plastic straw. On Nov. 7, 2017, the San Luis Obispo City Council passed an ordinance regulating the use and distribution of single-use beverage straws. The ordinance went into effect March 1, 2018, requiring sit-down restaurants to only give out straws upon request. Take-out orders and places with straw dispensaries, like 7/11, are exempt according the ordinance. The straw ban movement began when marine biologist Christine Figgener filmed a video of her team removing a plastic straw from a sea turtle’s nose in August of 2015. The video went viral, sparking a movement to ban plastic straws. According to the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority, 400,000 straws are used each day in San Luis Obispo County, and they aren't recycled or composted. Although straws are only a fraction of the problem, many environmentalists see straws
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as the springboard to move away from single-use plastics. The straw ban movement gained momentum and garnered public outcry very quickly and now businesses in San Luis Obispo are having to play catch-up. Founder of Doc Burnstein’s Greg Steinberger said the change to get rid of plastic bottles and bags was more gradual.
“IT SEEMED LIKE WITHIN THREE MONTHS, THERE WAS A HUGE DEMAND TO GET RID OF PLASTIC STRAWS,” Steinberger said. The difficulty for Steinberger was that suppliers couldn’t keep up with demand, and it took them a while to find a supplier to send them samples. “Nobody had the manufacturing capacity to get those kind of straws in production in such a short time,” Steinberger said. Steinberger said Doc Burnstein's has since found a supplier and plans to transition to paper straws once their inventory of plastic straws is gone. Straws weren’t always made of plastic — the first modern drinking straw was created by Marvin C. Stone in 1888 and was made out of
Photos Photosby: by:Alison AlisonChavez Chavez
SHIRLEY GOETZ, A VOLUNTEER AT PWC PICKING UP MICROPLASTICS IN AVILA
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paper. According to the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center, Stone later built a machine to coat the paper with wax, so the glue wouldn’t dissolve, creating a soggy mess. Straws remained popular throughout the decades and in the 1960s, plastic allowed straws to be made quickly for a low cost, creating the straws we are familiar with today. While straws are often thought to be unnecessary, there are some cases where they are needed, like in the case of people with disabilities. Executive director of non-profit ECOSLO Mary Ciesinski said it is important to be cognizant of people with disabilities, but using straws should be an exception, not the rule. ECOSLO works to educate, advocate and act to protect and enhance San Luis Obispo’s natural beauty.
“WE’RE IN A PLACE WHERE EVERYTHING IS INSTANT GRATIFICATION,” Ciesinski said. Ciesinski said we must change the way we think and become more educated about trash, recycling and composting, which can be difficult because reusing something isn’t always associated with being sanitary. Ciesinski said a lot of people don’t know that if there's something in the recycling bin that isn’t recyclable, the bin can become contaminated. So, even if you put it in the recycling bin, it may still go to the landfill
due to contamination, which is why education on what can and can’t be recycled is such an important part of ECOSLO. Differentiating what is recyclable and what is not takes time and effort. President of Cal Poly’s Surfrider club and environmental management and protection Sophomore Marissa Miller said they do audits of bins around campus. he said that during their audits, they’ve found the recycle bins look the same as the trash bins. It can be difficult to see the impacts of individual effort, but Miller said that it does make a difference.
“WE LIVED BEFORE WITHOUT SINGLE-USE PLASTICS, WE CAN DO IT AGAIN,” Miller said. Ciesinski said recycling is becoming a dinosaur. She added that we’re not recycling enough, and efforts have to go beyond recycling, and focus on the larger issue of single-use products. Pacific Wildlife Care (a non-profit organization and the county’s only licensed rehabilitation center) President Kimberly Perez said that plastics left on the beach break down into colorful microplastics, which are swept into the water and eaten by fish. Those fish are then eaten by birds, which, in some cases, regurgitate the fish to their babies, spreading plastics throughout the ecosystem.
These plastics have no nutritional value for wildlife, and the birds often feel full, but aren’t getting the nutrition they need, so they often become emaciated. Perez said she thinks the plastic straw ban is a start, but that giving people the option of a plastic straw isn’t enough. She added that sometimes money works as a deterrent, like with the 10 cent charge on plastic bags, but if it’s not recyclable, we are paying one way or another, because the environment is paying. In order to help the environment, Doc Burnstein’s gets all its cups and utensils from Reduce. Reuse. Grow., a company out of the SLO Hothouse Incubator according to Steinberger. According to their website, all their products are 100 percent compostable and recyclable. Unlike plastics, which can
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take up to 1000 years to decompose in landfills, products sold by Reduce. Reuse. Grow. can be composed and transformed into high quality commercial compost within 180 days when the products end up in a certified commercial compost. Additionally, Reduce. Reuse. Grow. plants a plant for each product sold. Making an effort to stop using simple-use plastics can start with carrying a reusable straw and a set of utensils everywhere like Miller does. Miller said that in order to change the way we use and view single-use plastics, it is going to take widespread public support. “Take five minutes, read the news, pay attention,” Miller said. “There’s so many issues, if you haven’t found one you’re passionate about, you’re not paying enough attention.”
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Photo by: Diego Rivera
BEST SPOTS IN SLO TO WATCH MARCH MADNESS The NCAA championship, also known as as March Madness, will start on March 17 and culminate in the championship game April 8. Local businesses will be screening the tournament so basketball lovers can enjoy the games with brews and good company—a slam dunk of a combo. Cal Poly alumnus Ryan Williams scoped out some good spots for viewing the games last year. “There are two things that really make March madness awesome — one, there are a ton of games going on at the same time, two — the games go on all day long,” Williams said. “So because of that, it’s good to go somewhere with a lot of TVs and decent food.” Students can pull up a stool at these San Luis Obispo favorites and root for teams while taking advantage of some deals.
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BY AVA FRY
WOODSTOCK’S PIZZA Touting Cal Poly paraphernalia on their walls, this local hangout is a staple in San Luis Obispo’s restaurant community, and their recent remodel has revamped the place into the ultimate viewing location for March Madness. Woodstock’s employee Nick Damito predicts this year’s March Madness will be busier for them, especially with the increase of TVs. He said the energy during the tournament raises not only viewers’ excitement levels, but the employees’ as well. Woodstock’s is home to 24 draft beer choices, and legendary pizza selections. A range of entertainment, including shuffleboard and an arcade, keeps the environment lively. Towards the back there is a welcoming fireplace conveniently placed by two TVs. Mon-Fri happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. ensures half-off pitchers. Customers can
stay late on Tuesdays for pint night, which tips off at 8pm. FIRESTONE GRILL This March Madness season, make sure to get into bustling Firestone before the notorious lines, and position yourself in front of one of their three large flat-screens. They know all of San Luis Obispo loves their tri tip, so in preparation they will probably have a little more than normal ready for the hungry basketball fans. Manager Darnell Harris said he looks forward to March Madness himself, being a “basketball junkie.” He said he has watched every tournament at Firestone since its inception in 1995 and was even part of the celebration in 2014 when Cal Poly made it through the qualifying rounds. “When we won the play-in-game [the crowd at Firestone] was going crazy,” Harris said. In true sports bar style, the games will be playing all day. Catch the daily deals during happy hour from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. featuring $4 beers, drinks and champagne, and $4.99 spicy wings.
MILESTONE TAVERN Milestone’s projector screen covers over half the wall, aiming to make viewers feel like they are sitting courtside. Although newer to the SLO eatery scene, the tavern is making its mark with up to 80 beers on tap, 30 of which are on rotation so customers never run out of brews to taste. Located in the University Square, Milestone is close to a good portion of student housing, making it a popular spot to meet up and cheer on other college teams. Managing partner of Milestone Earl Olsen said he finds that there is more student involvement in the March Madness final four than the NCAA Football championship. They will have the games on all day, but the best deals are from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the $3-$7 small plates menu and $2 off beers or wine. “THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT REALLY MAKE MARCH MADNESS AWESOME — ONE, THERE ARE A TON OF GAMES GOING ON AT THE SAME TIME, TWO — THE GAMES GO ON ALL DAY LONG,”
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ON CAMPUS RESOURCES FOR OFF CAMPUS HOUSING BY LAURYN LUESCHER Cal Poly offers on-campus housing through the university in addition to resources provided through the Office of Rights and Responsibilities for students who plan to move off campus. One of the main resources provided through the Off Campus Programs is the Educated Renters Certification Program (ERCP). This program is designed to give students information on what to do before, during and after renting their off-campus home. The certificate functions to give students validity when they do not have renters’ history. Biological science senior and student assistant for the Off Campus Programs Kelsie Hilty said that in order to determine the material that is discussed in the ERCP, they reached out to local complexes and property management companies to see what they were looking for when it came to tenants. In order to receive the ERCP certificate, students complete an online course and then meet with Hilty to go over important
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information regarding being a responsible renter and informational material to have as questions come up while they are renting. Students discuss renters rights, what to do if you get a citation, how to handle conflicts with neighbors or landlords and any additional questions they have. After this appointment, students receive their ERCP certificate and can attach it to housing applications to give them an advantage in the housing market. Properties that accept the ERCP include: Castle Keepers, Inc., Comet Reality, College Gardens Apts., FarrellSmyth Inc., McNamara Realty, Murray Station, Patterson Realty, Horizon, SLO Rental Shoppe, Stafford Garden Apts., Valencia Apts., Western Realty, Mission Property Group, De Tolosa Ranch Apts. and The Academy Chorro. Hilty said that adding this certificate to housing applications does give students an advantage because it shows that they are responsible.
“IT SHOWS THE LANDLORDS THAT THE STUDENTS ARE PUTTING IN THE TIME AND EFFORT, THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A GOOD TENANT AND THEY ARE LESS LIKELY TO CAUSE ISSUES FOR THE LANDLORD,” Hilty said. “It gives the landlord that sense of security knowing that they are going to have a good tenant.” Local real estate broker, rental owner and property manager Susie Brans did an informational session with Cal Poly students and parents about off campus housing and explained from a property manager’s perspective, the benefits of completing the program. “They go over the city ordinances, they’ll talk about how to be a good tenant and a good neighbor, if you have issues with the landlord how to bring it up, rights that you have as a tenant that you might not be aware of,” Brans said. “It’s helpful if someone takes this course because it shows me that they are willing to take the extra step.” Although the Off Campus Program is only about seven years old, Hilty said she has seen an increase in the number of students taking the course. In January 2019, Hilty met with 30 students instead of her 15-25 monthly average. Along with answering general housing questions and certifying students through the ERCP, the Office-Campus Housing Program connects students with other resources that can help them with their housing related issues. If students are having trouble with a landlord or need mediation help, the Office Campus Housing Program will connect students with SLO Solutions, a free conflict resolution service offered to all San Luis Obispo Residents
Photo by: Carolyne Sysmans
to help with issues regarding noise, parking, trash, parties, trees, security deposits, lease agreements, communication, expectations and roommates. The Off Campus Program also supports the Party Registration Program and has found that allowing students to register their parties to get warnings for noise complaints, has decreased the number of students struggling with what to do about their noise violation. Regarding helping students find off campus housing, the Off Campus Program connects students with both the Cal Poly (CP) Housing, Sublets & Roommates and the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo - Housing/Rooms/Apartments by housinganywhere Facebook pages and Poly Rents. These Facebook pages and resources post listings for students throughout the year. For more information on the different programs and resources offered through the Off Campus programs, visit : https://ercp.calpoly.edu/content/resources https://osrr.calpoly.edu/off-campus-programs.
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