New Times Student Guide 2021 by New Times Media Group, San Luis Obispo

SEPTEMBER 9 - SEPTEMBER 16, 2021 • VOL. 36, NO. 8 • W W W.NEW TIMESSLO.COM • SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNT Y’S NEWS AND ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

VISIT US ONLINE @ newtimesslo.com.

Back on campus For this year’s Student Guide, we talk about what college sports look like in 2021-22 [12], where to rent outdoor gear [16], COVID-19 rules [20], and the best spots for dining out [24] BY NEW TIMES STAFF

BY BULBUL RAJAGOPAL

Lessons learned Cal Poly’s women’s volleyball team had its first home game in more than 600 days, and getting there wasn’t easy

vaccinated. Unvaccinated attendees have to provide a negative COVID-19 test dated 72 hours prior to the event. Even without students returning to campus just yet, 783 people packed into Mott for the home game. Volleyball fans often stomped their feet in rhythmic unison, mimicking a mustang stampede to show their support. “I think a lot of people in our community are ready for this … they want to be together. We’re going to see some strong returns,” Cal Poly Athletics Director Don Oberhelman said. With football and soccer also playing their first games since the pandemic this fall, college sports are back—but the forced downtime during 2020 took its toll on athletes. “It was really sad because I’m from out of state, so I was really far away and didn’t get to see my teammates. But there was never a thought in my mind that we weren’t going to get a season,” said Phillips, a Houston native. When the lockdown began in March 2020, athletics administrators decided to stop practice for only two weeks. It grew to several months before the players could return to Cal Poly in August that year to continue with their training. “It wasn’t until we were back on campus when we found out that our fall season got canceled, which was really, really upsetting,” Phillips said. “That ended up happening for every team in the NCAA except for the Big West. That hit us really hard because we had to sit and watch everyone in the nation play a volleyball season except for us.” When the Big West Conference, which includes several state universities like Cal Poly and UC Barbara, canceled its 2020 fall season, the pause affected a slew of sports, including women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s cross country and soccer. The players took on a mammoth task when they chose to return to campus for training last fall. Away from their families, they navigated the initial waves of the pandemic together. The girls attended a full roster of online classes after daily four-hour practices. At the time, Cal Poly enforced a mask mandate. Later, when vaccines

STUDENT GUIDE 2021

giant promotional poster of Meredith Phillips welcomed Cal Poly sports fans back to Mott Athletics Center on Sept. 1. Inside, the real Phillips entertained the crowd by setting a careerhigh of 14 kills for the Mustangs’ volleyball game against Texas A&M. It was the first home game for the women’s volleyball team since December 2019, after a COVID-19-imposed hiatus benched them for more than a year. Spectators wondered if Cal Poly’s team could keep its title of the nation’s longest active home winning streak. But the Mustangs lost to the Aggies in a 3-2 tussle, effectively breaking their uninterrupted five-year home reign. “It’s exciting that we have the whole season to work and improve,” Phillips, the team’s co-captain, said. Mustangs head coach Caroline Walters agreed. “The goal of preseason is to learn with each set and match we play, gaining experience about the flow of the matches, and how we can be more efficient and effective,” she said. The volleyball team will play a full season in 2021-22. The preseason match was their first home game in more than 600 days. It was also their third game since 2019, of which they’ve only won one. Unlike regional conferences such as the one Texas A&M belongs to, the Big West Conference was the only college athletics association that canceled its games due to the pandemic. It caused Mustangs teams to lose out on competitive matches that coaches said are crucial for improvement. The Sept. 1 opener was a test for Cal Poly Athletics in a post-vaccine era. SLO County reinstated the indoor mask mandate the day before the game, on Aug. 31, because of surging COVID-19 cases on the Central Coast. In mid-August, the athletics office received instructions from the state to ensure that everyone attending indoor games is masked up and

HOMECOMING After more than 600 days away, the Mustangs’ volleyball team returned to the Mott Athletics Center court in 2021. PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAL POLY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Catch a game

Watch the Mustangs play against the University of Washington on Sept. 11 in Malibu. Attend their next home game against Loyola-Marymount University on Sept. 18. For more information, visit gopoly.com/sports/ womens-volleyball/schedule.

were available, all players and coaches voluntarily got their shots. Oberhelman said that unvaccinated players would still be a part of the team with their scholarships intact but they wouldn’t be allowed to actively play. The team had to play with masks on, and the ball had to be sanitized after every pass. “It’s hard to breathe with something covering your mouth like that. It’s hard to communicate with your team and coaches too,” said Mustangs setter Avalon DeNecochea. It was a compromise the team had to make if they wanted to continue playing volleyball, mask acne—aka maskne—and all, Phillips added. Then came the COVID-19 outbreak. Phillips and a few other players tested positive, so Cal Poly sent the entire team home for the winter. They couldn’t meet again in person until August 2021. But so many missed practices wasn’t as big a deal for some players. In June 2020, DeNecochea had hip surgery because of volleyball injuries. It made her see the silver lining behind the canceled season. Normally, DeNecochea would have had to sit the season out completely, but the pandemic gave her the time she needed to fully recover. “Once volleyball was taken away, it made me appreciate it even more. It’s

LEADING THE CHARGE Volleyball team co-captain Meredith Phillips led her team to win two of five sets at their first home game in more than 600 days on Sept. 1.

really special that we actually get to participate in sports like this at a high level,” she said. On the flip side, defensive specialist Taylor Rose said that being out of practice made them forget about the smaller details when they returned to competitive games. They lost their first post-COVID-19 game to the University of Louisville, and it was a learning experience. Rose admitted that the smaller things—a close point difference or a referee making a bad call—got to them. “We underestimated a little bit about VOLLEYBALL continued page 14

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WELCOME BACK STUDENTS!

PHOTO COURTESY OF CAL POLY ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

TEAMING UP The Cal Poly women’s volleyball team missed out on a year’s worth of games because the Big West Conference canceled the fall 2020 season due to the pandemic.

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the team to reset mentally. Rose said that it did hit the players hard, but they how mentally strong we have to be in the weren’t alone. game of volleyball,” she said. “Playing volleyball is your purpose. The coaching staff had a tough time, too. Head Coach Walters had little help because When that goes away, it’s like, ‘Oh my gosh, what am I doing?’” Rose said.“My of the lockdown. One of her assistants MUSIC family was a huge help in pulling me out switched to a job at UCLA, which, coupled of the mental downfall I was in.” with California’s pandemic hiring freeze, The volleyball team also conducted a FLAVOR/EATS left her understaffed. mental health webinar to In addition, both she make sure players and and her other assistant INFO coaches were coping well. had babies during the “These girls have been pandemic. On the plus Find past Student Guides playing volleyball since side, the absence of a CALENDAR at newtimesslo.com/ they were 12 years old strenuous season meant sanluisobispo/student-guide/ through college. There they could spend more Category?oid=2896498. aren’t free weekends and time with their families. OPINION there isn’t time to spend “Division 1 athletics and with families. All of us the grind of being in season shared joy inNEWS that time that was given to is a lot. You’re away from your loved ones us,” Walters said. ∆ a lot just like the student athletes are. I felt like it was the right time for me,” STROKES Bulbul Rajagopal at Reach Staff Writer Walters said. In a way, the forced downtime allowed brajagopal@newtimesslo.com.

VOLLEYBALL from page 12

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nfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic is still hanging on as students head back to college campuses for in-person classes. After being masked up and stuffed in a classroom, you’ll want to find a place where you can unmask and breathe in that free air. Fortunately, San Luis Obispo County has a lot of wild space, outdoor activities, and exploration opportunities for everyone. Hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, surfing, fishing, rock climbing—the list goes on. And there are plenty of places where you can even rent the gear you need and get a little help figuring out where to go and what to do. Here’s a list of places that can help get you started:

At Cal Poly

Poly Escapes (Cal Poly Recreation Center, (805) 756-1287, asi.calpoly.edu/ experience/poly-escapes) For Cal Poly students, the best deal around is right on campus with ASI (Associated Students Inc.), which they already pay a fee toward as part of tuition costs. Offering equipment rentals for backpacking, camping, climbing, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, surfing, and snowboarding, it’s a one-stop gear rental shop offering small items like headlamps and stoves to larger things such as tents and stand-up paddleboards. ASI has wetsuits, trekking poles, outdoor climbing shoes, water coolers, snowshoes, and more so Poly students can experiment with that outdoor lifestyle from spring to winter. Poly Escapes also has a climbing park at the Rec Center—50-foot climbing wall and bouldering wall—for all skill levels, and offers guided hiking and backpacking trips during most quarters. Due to COVID-19, Poly Escapes trips won’t be offered during fall 2021.

Close to campus

The Mountain Air (667 Marsh St., suite D, SLO; (805) 543-1676, themountainair.com) As a locally owned outdoor store, the Mountain Air is unbeatable for knowledgeable service and a super selection of gear that can help you get lost. For gear rentals, though, they

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specialize in winter sports—specifically for hitting the slopes. Before you leave town for your winter wonderland vacation, find skis, snowboards, boots, and poles that you can rent by the day or days as you’re heading out. REI (313 Madonna Road, suite B, SLO; (805) 329-4670; rei.com) We all know what REI is, but did you know the famed outdoor store also offers equipment rentals? I didn’t until this past summer, when I was desperately searching for a kayak rental in the city of SLO. Turns out, the SLO REI only rents paddleboards, but that’s good enough for me. Contact the store for more info. You can also take virtual outdoor classes to learn exactly what to be prepared for as you head into the woods—how to be bear aware, what to pack for winter camping, and wilderness first aid tips. Visit rei. com/events/p/us-ca-san-luis-obispo for more. The Pad Climbing Gym (888 Ricardo Court, SLO; thepadclimbing.org) Thinking about trying climbing, but haven’t ever tried it? You don’t have to have any experience to join The Pad, which offers free climbing shoe rental and 24-hour access for its members. Don’t have funds? The Pad has options, including a sliding scale and volunteer memberships.

Along the coast

Almost all of SLO County’s coastal cities offer paddlesports rentals and

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STUDENT GUIDE 2021

PEACEFUL PADDLE Poly Escapes and REI both rent paddlesports equipment by the day(s), which you can pack with you on an excursion to some Sierra Nevada water body, such as Sabrina Lake outside of Bishop.

EXPLORE MORE continued page 18

www.newtimesslo.com • September 9 - September 16, 2021 • New Times • 17

PHOTOS BY CAMILLIA LANHAM

FLOATING RENTALS Conveniently located on the water, the Kayak Shack in Morro Bay offers kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards for rent by the hour.

EXPLORE MORE from page 16

paddling tours, so you can get out on the water and take in the Pacific Ocean from a different point of view. Paddle out for a couple of hours in rented equipment and drop it off at the shore before heading to your next destination. Morro Bay A Kayak Shack (10 State Park Road, (805) 772-8796, morrobaykayakrental.com) Rent a single ($16/hour) or tandem kayak ($24/hour), a canoe ($32/hour), or paddleboard ($16/hour) every day of the week at this quaint little floating shack on the bay. Step off the dock and into Estero Bay, where you can hang with the birds and maybe even the sea otters as you paddle into the estuary or toward the Embarcadero. Rock Kayak Co. (845 Embarcadero, (805) 772-2906, rockkayak.com) Offering free lessons with all its rentals, Rock Kayak rents kayaks ($15/ hour for single; $25/hour for double) and stand-up paddleboards ($15/hour) right off the Embarcadero. The team of locals can give you tips on places to go and the spots to avoid in Morro Bay.

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Estero Adventures (501 Embarcadero, (805) 550-3165) With electric pontoon boats ($99/hour), kayaks ($20/hour), and fat-tire beach bikes ($20/hour), you can cruise the bay or the Embarcadero with the rentals offered out of the Estero Inn. Morro Bay Paddlesports (551 Embarcadero, (805) 225-1497, paddlemorrobay.com) Rent stand-up paddleboards ($30/ hour) or kayaks ($20/hour, $30/hour for tandem), take a SUP lesson, or book a SUP or kayak tour of Morro Bay. Certified instructors can teach beginners in flat water or exposed water and they can teach those with some experience how to paddle stroke and SUP surf—call for pricing or to schedule a lesson. Avila Beach Avila Beach Paddlesports (3915 Avila Beach Drive, (805) 704-6902, avilabeachpaddlesports.com) To avoid crowding, Avila Beach Paddlesports requires reservations for its kayak ($35/two hours; $45/two hours for a tandem)and paddleboard ($35/two hours) rentals. Owners husband and wife Vincent and Emily Shay have developed diagrams, maps, and instruction techniques to

BIRD’S EYE VIEW A number of paddlesports rental companies in Morro Bay get you settled into the peaceful flat waters of the estuary, where pelicans roost and otters play.

educate customers about suggested paddling routes, ocean and wind conditions, wildlife viewing, and more. Pismo Beach Central Coast Kayaks (1879 Shell Beach Road, (805) 931-6348, centralcoastkayaks.com) This is definitely a full-service kayak shop, offering Central Coast tours; camps and classes; guided kayak fishing trips ($175/four hours); and kayak ($25/hour; $40/hour for tandem), fishing kayak ($65/ four hours), and paddleboard rentals ($25/hour). Starting at $75, you can take 2 1/2- to 3-hour tours of Morro Bay’s calm water sights, a naturalist’s voyage close to shore near Shell Beach, or check out caves, arches, and rock gardens that are only accessible from the ocean. Pismo Beach Dive Shop/Pismo Beach Surfshop (470 Price St., (805) 773-2089, pismobeachsurfshop.com/ pismobeachdiveshop.com) The fully stocked dive shop works with new divers, kayakers, swimmers, and surfers of all ages, offering dive and surf lessons as well as helps design custom itineraries. Here, you can rent surf and boogie boards by the day ($20 and $15, respectively), kayaks by the half day (starting at $50), and paddleboards by the hour ($25). With beach cruisers, electric bikes, surreys, and banana bikes on hand, you can rent wheels, too, or go on a pedaling tour of Pismo, Shell, and Avila Beach. And, if that wasn’t enough, the shop also offers kayak tours ($85) and kayak fishing ($150/three hours). ∆ Editor Camillia Lanham is a weekend warrior with no regrets. Send outdoor tips to clanham@newtimesslo.com.

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Back to class

STUDENT GUIDE 2021

Amid SLO County’s worst COVID-19 surge yet, higher education is returning to the classroom with mask, vaccine, and quarantine mandates

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20 • New Times • September 9 - September 16, 2021 • www.newtimesslo.com

“Roughly 40 percent of our courses igher education in SLO County is have an in-person component, so the returning to classroom instruction, majority of our instruction remains online albeit with restrictions and safety at this time,” Stearns said. “Twenty-six protocols to counteract ever-rising percent of our instruction was online COVID-19 cases. At Cuesta College, which is already prior to the pandemic, so the notion that back in session, students are required to we would ever be 100 percent face-to-face be vaccinated by Oct. 15. But students is unlikely.” also have the option of being tested For professors who do have students frequently instead, Cuesta President and back on campus, there are ways to get Superintendent Dr. Jill Stearns said. creative with the classroom setting. College spokesperson Ritchie Bermudez “I am teaching outside this semester,” said details on frequency, verification, and professor Baxley said. “I was able to on-site testing are still being planned. In schedule my class to meet under the tents alignment with the Sept. 1 county Public one day a week.” Health Department mandate, all students Cal Poly Natural Resources and professors at Cuesta are required to Management and Environmental mask up indoors regardless of vaccination Sciences Professor Charlotte Decock is status. also opting for outdoors. “Everyone seems to feel safe,” “I did teach a lab in person during chemistry faculty member and Cuesta the pandemic, so I actually ended up College Federation of Teachers union modifying my class so the lab could be President Greg Baxley told New Times. fully outdoors,” Decock said. “I actually “[Students] do seem really excited to will keep many of the components from be on campus. One of the days I was that modified course as we’re going back there last week, I had announced to the to in-person education.” students an optional meeting, and all but Fall term classes for Cal Poly don’t begin two of them showed up.” until Sept. 20, and students and professors The restrictions are in line with what alike are excited at the thought of being Baxley was hoping for, though he wishes back on campus, though some already had it had been implemented even sooner. labs on campus over the past year. “But the ability to do that just wasn’t “Each quarter I had at least one inthere,” Baxley continued. “Some of the person class, so I have been going to community pushback on doing things like campus, but I didn’t see anyone else on mandates to protect public health—this is campus except people in my classes,” a political issue in some areas, more than architectural engineering major and others, and our administrative staff are fifth-year student Emily Taylor said. “I’m aware of those pressures.” excited. I think the whole buzz of other With mask and vaccine mandates now people being back is much more exciting in place, Stearns said that if someone and fun.” is not compliant, there’s an addendum With the recent surge in Delta variant to Cuesta’s student code of conduct that cases, Taylor said being back is also addresses COVID-19 protocols. nerve-wracking. “If a student fails to adhere, they are BACK TO CLASS continued page 22 referred to the student PHOTO COURTESY OF CUESTA COLLEGE conduct process,” she said. “It starts with a warning, and it’s a formal process.” So far though, Stearns said the college is seeing exceptional compliance. If someone does catch COVID-19 at Cuesta, they’ll be asked to quarantine at home following county Public Health recommendations, Stearns said. Any other unvaccinated students they had contact with will also have to quarantine and get tested. “We are absolutely doing contact tracing, spending a tremendous amount of time right now [on it] as the case counts are high in the county,” Stearns said. “We are doing our best to MASKS inform anyone who may REQUIRED As have been exposed.” Cuesta College and For many freshmen and Cal Poly return to sophomores, it’s the first campus, everyone time being on campus. is required to mask But as was the case before up, regardless of vaccination status. COVID-19, Cuesta isn’t entirely back in person.

www.newtimesslo.com • September 9 - September 16, 2021 • New Times • 21

BACK TO CLASS from page 20

“I definitely feel more cautious now, because honestly in the last two weeks I’ve seen it affect a lot of people I know,” she said. But, she added, knowing that almost everyone is vaccinated helps. Cal Poly is following the vaccine mandate established by the California State University system, which requires any student or employee accessing campus in any way to be fully vaccinated, Media Relations Director Matt Lazier said via email. On-campus resident students must be fully vaccinated by Sept. 14, and all other students and employees must be by Sept. 20, the first day of classes. Religious and medical exemptions to getting vaccinated are offered, and about 5 percent of students have requested these so far. These students will be required to get tested for COVID-19 twice a week. Another 85 percent are fully vaccinated, and the remaining 5 percent haven’t responded to the university yet. “We are continuing to communicate with them to ensure that they comply with the mandate,” Lazier said. “Those students who do not vaccinate or receive an exemption risk disenrollment and eviction from university housing and could endanger their financial aid and ability to enroll in the future.” Like at Cuesta, masking is required at all times indoors at Cal Poly, regardless of vaccination status. Cal Poly students must also take a COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their first arrival on campus, regardless of vaccination.

Anyone who tests positive is required to isolate, Lazier said. He added that, in the case of a positive test, the university follows the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal OSHA) guidelines for exposure investigation and workplace notification. Lazier also confirmed that the university was recently contacted by Cal OSHA about an investigation into Cal Poly’s notification system. A COVID-19 positive student allegedly attended a class during the summer quarter, and employees were not informed of the exposure for two days, according to reporting from The Tribune. By law, notification is required within one day. “Cal Poly is providing all appropriate information and assistance in regard to that inquiry,” Lazier said. “If the university learns of a confirmed positive case, we are required to tell all employees who were within the impacted area of the case or who were in close contact with the individual who tested positive.” Cuesta President Stearns said the sudden rise in cases countywide has certainly felt like a curveball—but she’s confident local schools can handle it. “The rise in our local case count really shifted right before the term began. A month ago we thought we’d have a very different fall than what we are seeing,” she said. “It was disappointing to be at that place. “But from the beginning we have worked hard to maintain our protocols in alignment with county Public Health.” ∆ Reach Staff Writer Malea Martin at mmartin@newtimesslo.com.

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22 • New Times • September 9 - September 16, 2021 • www.newtimesslo.com

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Grub guide

STUDENT GUIDE 2021

al Poly and Cuesta College are back! While first-year ’Stangs and Cuestonians will be introduced to SLO Town for the first time, even returning students likely haven’t experienced a fully reopened SLO since the spring of 2020. For the sake of the newbs and those returning from a long hiatus, New Times put together a food and drink guide to ease the transition. Here, you’ll find a mix of good student deals, convenient locations, staff favorites, and certified SLO classics. Happy start of school!

Coffee / cafés

Scout Coffee Co (Building 172, yakʔitʸutʸu area; 1130 Garden St.; 880 Foothill Blvd.) Scout Coffee made a big splash on the local café scene when it opened its impeccably decorated, brick-laden space on Garden Street in 2014, and the coffee shop/roaster continues to make bold moves. Owners Sara and Jon Peterson recently announced their third location slated for Cal Poly’s campus opening this fall. It will be in the yakʔitʸutʸu housing neighborhood, next to the Cal Poly Welcome Center. Another great option: Kin Coffee Bar (847 Higuera St.)

Breakfast food

With McDelivery, McDonald’s comes to you.

Del Monte Café (1901 Santa Barbara Ave.) Here’s our chance to plug not only a bomb breakfast spot, but SLO’s newest bike path that will make getting to town from campus a lot easier. Consider this scenario: It’s Saturday morning and you’re a little hung over and very hungry. Hop on a bike and cruise down California Boulevard toward downtown. Stay on the bike path that, starting in late October, will swerve to the right and take you on an easy course to downtown. Skip the downtown crowd and ride Osos Street until you see a 100-year-old building on your right with “Del Monte Café” across the top. You can thank me later. Another great option: Charlie’s Place (981 Foothill Blvd.)

Delis

Kona’s Deli (977 Foothill Blvd.) Kona’s Deli, located conveniently on Foothill Boulevard near campus, really loves their college students. This surf/ Hawaiian-themed shop has some very sweet deals for students. Their 6-inch sandos are always $6.50 for customers with a Cuesta or Cal Poly student ID and (foot-longs are $9.50). On Thursdays, FILE PHOTO BY KAORI PETERS

Kona’s Deli

24 • New Times • September 9 - September 16, 2021 • www.newtimesslo.com

students get another 10 percent off. On Fridays, their beers are $2. Kona is one of the best student values in town. Another great option: Lincoln Market & Deli (496 Broad St.)

Pizza

Woodstock’s Pizza (1000 Higuera St.) A SLO institution, Woodstock’s Pizza does everything well. The pizza is cheesy and delicious. The tap list is robust. The environment is fun. The prices are reasonable. Its new outdoor parklet is nice and spacious. Stop by for a quick lunch, settle in for trivia night with your friends, or end your night out with a midnight slice. There are countless reasons to go to Woodstock’s. Students get $6 off extralarge pizzas, too. Another great option: Nucci’s Pizza (785 Foothill Blvd; 3165 Broad St. #106)

Italian food

La Locanda (1137 Garden St.) Looking for a nice date night restaurant or a place to wow your parents when they’re in town? La Locanda is it. Seriously, don’t look further. Criminally underrated, this quaint downtown establishment is headed by Chef Luciano Bardinelli, who makes the best Italian food in town. Despite the restaurant’s humble feel, Bardinelli’s pedigree is unmatched. His previous restaurant in Seattle made him known as the Godfather of Seattle’s Italian food Renaissance. He moved to SLO in 2012 to be closer to his family. Lucky us! Pro tip: Get the lasagna. Another great option: Flour House (690 Higuera St.)

Mexican food

Tacos de Acapulco (596 California Blvd.) Located in a small but action-packed shopping center near campus on California Boulevard, Tacos de Acapulco is not only super convenient for students, GRUB GUIDE continued page 28

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CA residents scramble to get last Walking Liberty Rolls CALIFORNIA - Once California residents got wind that California State Restricted Bank Rolls filled with Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s were being handed over, there was a mad dash to get them. That’s because some of these U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins are already worth hundreds in collector value. “It’s like a run on the banks. The phones are ringing off the hook. That’s because everyone is trying to get them before they’re all gone,” according to officials at the National Mint and Treasury who say they can barely keep up with all the orders. In fact, they had to impose a strict limit of 4 California State Restricted Bank Rolls. So, if you get the chance to get your hands on these State Restricted Bank Rolls you better hurry because hundreds of California residents already have and you don’t want to miss out. You see, the U.S. Gov’t stopped

minting these Silver Walking Liberties in 1947 and there can never be any more which makes them extremely collectible. And here’s the best part. The rolls are unsearched so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value. That’s why at just the $39 state minimum set by National Mint and Treasury it’s a deal too good to pass up. But you better hurry because these California State Restricted Bank Rolls are the only ones known to exist and California residents are grabbing them up as fast as they can. That’s because they make amazing gifts for children, grandchildren and loved ones. Just imagine the look on their face when you hand them one of the State Restricted Rolls — they’ll tell everyone they know what you did for them.

■ GOT ‘EM: Residents all across California who get their hands on these State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls are definitely showing them off. That’s because they are the only ones known to exist. And here’s the best part, these Bank Rolls are loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty coins some dating back to the early 1900’s and worth up to 100 times their face value so everyone wants them.

Last State Restricted Silver Walking Liberty Bank Rolls go to California residents California residents get first dibs on last remaining Bank Rolls loaded with U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for the next 2 days STATE DISTRIBUTION: A strict limit of 4 State Restricted Bank Rolls per CA resident has been imposed CALIFORNIA - “It’s a miracle these State Restricted Bank Rolls even exist. That’s why Hotline Operators are bracing for the flood of calls,” said Laura Lynne, U.S. Coin and Currency Director for the National Mint and Treasury. For the next 2 days the last remaining State of California Restricted Bank Rolls loaded with rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties are actually being handed over to California residents who call the State Toll-Free Hotlines listed in today’s newspaper publication. “I recently spoke with a numismatic expert in United States of America coins and currency who said ‘In all my years as a numismatist I’ve only ever seen a handful of these rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties issued by the U.S. Gov’t back in the early 1900’s. But to actually find them sealed away in State Restricted Bank Rolls still in pristine condition is like finding buried treasure. So anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Bank Rolls had better hold on to them,’” Lynne said. “Now that the State of California Restricted Bank Rolls are being offered up we won’t be surprised if thousands of California residents claim the maximum limit allowed of 4 Bank Rolls per resident before they’re all gone,” said Lynne. “That’s because after the Bank Rolls

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(Continued on next page) 26 • New Times • September 9 - September 16, 2021 • www.newtimesslo.com

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(Continued from previous page)

were loaded with 15 rarely seen Silver Walking Liberties, each verified to meet a minimum collector grade of very good or above, the dates and mint marks of the U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars sealed away inside the State of California Restricted Bank Rolls have never been searched. But, we do know that some of these coins date clear back to the early 1900’s and are worth up to 100 times their face value, so there is no telling what California residents will find until they sort through all the coins,” Lynne went on to say. And here’s the best part. If you are a resident of the state of California you cover only the $39 per coin state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury, that’s fifteen rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties worth up to 100 times their face value for just $585 which is a real steal because non state residents must pay $118 per coin which totals $1,770 if any coins remain after the 2-day deadline. The only thing California residents need to do is call the State Toll-Free Hotlines printed in today’s newspaper publication before the 2-day order deadline ends. “Rarely seen U.S. Gov’t issued silver coins like these are highly sought after, but we’ve never seen anything like this before. According to The Official Red Book, a Guide Book of United States Coins many Silver Walking Liberty Half Dollars are now worth $40 - $825 each in collector value,” Lynne said. “We’re guessing thousands of California residents will be taking the maximum limit of 4 Bank Rolls because they make such amazing gifts for any occasion for children, parents, grandparents, friends and loved ones,” Lynne continued. “We know the phones will be ringing off the hook. That’s why hundreds of Hotline Operators are standing by to answer the phones beginning at 8:30 am this morning. We’re going to do our best, but with just 2 days to answer all the calls it won’t be easy. So make sure to tell everyone to keep calling if all lines are busy. We’ll do our best to answer them all.” Lynne said. The only thing readers of today’s newspaper publication need to do is make sure they are a resident of the state of California and call the National TollFree Hotlines before the 2-day deadline ends midnight tomorrow. ■

HOW TO CLAIM THE LAST STATE RESTRICTED BANK ROLLS

FACTS:

If you are a California State Resident read the important information below about claiming the State Silver Bank Rolls, then call the State Toll-Free Hotline at 8:30 am: 1-800-979-3771 EXT: RWB1902

Are these Silver Walking Liberties worth more than other half dollars:

Yes. These U.S. Gov’t issued Silver Walking Liberties were minted in the early 1900’s and will never be minted again. That makes them extremely collectible. The vast majority of half dollars minted after 1970 have no silver content at all and these Walking Liberties were one of the last silver coins minted for circulation. That’s why many of them now command hundreds in collector value so there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

How much are State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls worth:

It’s impossible to say, but some of these U.S Gov’t issued Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s are worth up to 100 times the face value and there are 15 in each Bank Roll so you better hurry if you want to get your hands on them. Collector values always fluctuate and there are never any guarantees. But we do know they are the only California State Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and Walking Liberties are highly collectible so anyone lucky enough to get their hands on these Silver Bank Rolls should hold onto them because there’s no telling how much they could be worth in collector value someday.

Why are so many California residents claiming them:

Because they are the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist and everyone wants their share. Each Bank Roll contains a whopping 15 Silver Walking Liberties dating back to the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value. Best of all California residents are guaranteed to get them for the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty for the next two days.

How do I get the State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls:

California residents are authorized to claim up to the limit of 4 State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls by calling the State Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-979-3771 Ext. RWB1902 starting at precisely 8:30 am this morning. Everyone who does is getting the only State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Rolls known to exist. That’s a full Bank Roll containing 15 Silver Walking Liberties from the early 1900’s some worth up to 100 times their face value for just the state minimum set by the National Mint and Treasury of just $39 per Silver Walking Liberty, which is just $585 for the full Bank Rolls and that’s a real steal because non state residents are not permitted to call before 5 pm tomorrow and must pay $1,770 for each California State Restricted Walking Liberty Silver Bank Roll if any remain.

NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, LLC IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. MINT, THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, A BANK OR ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY. IF FOR ANY REASON WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM SHIPMENT YOU ARE DISSATISFIED, RETURN THE PRODUCT FOR A REFUND LESS SHIPPING AND RETURN POSTAGE. THIS SAME OFFER MAY BE MADE AVAILABLE AT A LATER DATE OR IN A DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. OH RESIDENTS ADD 6.5% SALES TAX. NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY, PO BOX 35609, CANTON, OH 44735 ©2021 NATIONAL MINT AND TREASURY. R1043R-2

www.newtimesslo.com • September 9 - September 16, 2021 • New Times • 27

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GRUB GUIDE from page 24

but also happens to serve up some of the best Mexican food in SLO. Here you’ll find friendly staff, tantalizing carnitas tacos, and, well, your friends and peers. This spot is well known around campus—for good reason. Another great option: Taqueria Santa Cruz (1308 Monterey St.; 862 Foothill Blvd.)

Southeast Asian food

@bites (195 Santa Rosa St.) Returning students—pay attention! This is a new Vietnamese restaurant (as of June 2020) that should become a hit with students given its location and quality. Its offerings include street food like pork buns and egg rolls and heftier items like pho and banh mi. @bites fills an important cuisine gap in SLO and is not run by lightweights. Chef Luke Ly apparently cooked for both Bill Clinton and George W. Bush when the former presidents made their official trips to Vietnam. Impressive! Another great option: My Thai (1815 Osos St.)

It all started 30 years ago with a blender in SLO.

Chinese food

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Welcome Back Students!

Mandarin Gourmet (1316 Madonna Road) Here’s the God’s honest truth about Chinese food in SLO: There’s just not enough of it. That said, here are two quality Chinese restaurants you can depend on (and avoid a chain like Panda Express). Mandarin Gourmet, located in the Laguna Village Shopping Center, has been around for 20 years and cooks up some tasty, tasty dishes. A frequent winner in our Best of SLO County

Tacos de Acapulco readers poll, they specialize in Szechuan, Hunan, and Vietnamese cuisines. Another great option: Mee Heng Low Noodle House (815 Palm St.)

Japanese food

Goshi (570 Higuera St. #155) A longtime local favorite, Goshi is one of three Japanese restaurants in downtown SLO. Choice is good! You can’t go wrong with any of the three, but Goshi is a standout for its superb food and ambiance in the Creamery Marketplace. Sushi is the obvious pick here, but do not hesitate to try their teriyaki offerings. Another great option: Arigato Sushi (667 Marsh St.)

Indian food

Taj Palace (795 Foothill Blvd.) Taj Palace is just one of the delicious and celebrated Indian restaurants in SLO. But it’s the closest to campus, it has a GRUB GUIDE continued page 30

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killer Monday buffet dinner, and it offers a blanket 10 percent discount on menu items for college students. That’s not a deal to pass up! Afterward, you can hit SLODoCo across the street for dessert. Double yum. Another great option: Shalimar Restaurant (3820 Broad St.)

Mediterranean

Petra (1210 Higuera St.) There’s a good chance that by the time Poly freshmen read this, they’ve already heard of Petra (or eaten there). A huge hit with students and townies alike, Petra has a prime location on the campus-adjacent fringe of downtown, great Mediterranean fare, and underrated pizzas. Their wallto-wall beverage fridge is also a sight to behold. There’s never a bad time or reason to go to Petra, as you’ll find out.

Desserts

SLO Sweets (1020 Court St.) From candy, to chocolates, to gelato, SLO Sweets has it. They also have a sweet 10 percent discount for college students. Perfect for Valentine’s Day, a birthday, or just a quick stop while you’re downtown, you’ll come here for its sweets variety and stay for Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, which plays on a loop. Another great option: SLODoCo (793 Foothill Blvd.)

Breweries

Central Coast Brewing (1422 Monterey St.; 6 Higuera St.) Look away, underclassmen! Beerloving students of legal age should stop by Central Coast Brewing (CCB). It’s

a great place to dip your toes in the local craft brewery scene. With two awesome locations in town—the closest to campus is the original brewery, on upper Monterey Street—CCB makes fantastic beer and always has something fun going on, whether live music or a movie night. It’s a place to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon with friends. Another great option: Barrelhouse Brewing Co (1033 Chorro St.)

Cheap Eats

Habit Burger Grill (839 Higuera St.) Broke? The Habit, located in the heart of downtown, has a tasty burger that won’t break your wallet. Its signature charburger doesn’t disappoint. And they now offer Impossible vegan burgers! Pro tip: Order the tempura green beans. Another great option: Frank’s Famous Hot Dogs (950 California Blvd.)

Veggie/Vegan

Ziggy’s Vegan Restaurant (594 California Blvd.) Ziggy’s, a 100-percent plant-based restaurant, is making the rounds in the local press right now, and deservedly so. Located in the same shopping area as Tacos de Acapulco, this small but mighty eatery is a scrumptious and welcome addition to the veggie food scene. Stop by for breakfast, tacos, burgers, “milk” shakes, and more. Another great option: Bliss Cafe (778 Higuera St., suite D) ∆ Send Assistant Editor Peter Johnson your favorite places to nosh by emailing pjohnson@newtimesslo.com.

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