The Pirates Are Running Bay Theater to Reopen Moving Forward: Sports
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Local News, Your Community Arts & Entertainment, Your News Schools, Business, Environment Vol #3 - Issue #4 esteroCAMBRIA • CAYU COSbay • LOS OSOS • MORRO news BAY March 11, 2021 - March 24, 2021 Bay Theater to Reopen Moving Forward: By Neil Farrell David Bradley Inspires Positive Posts on Nextdoor.com By Judy Salamacha The Bay Theater is set to reopen tomorrow. Photo by Neil Farrell Stuart Mason’s painted animal portraits became his side hustle during the pandemic. ocal moviegoers are breathing a sigh of relief after the mar- Indeed, Disney Studios started its own streaming service and Lquee on The Bay Theater was changed, signaling a planned released Wonder Woman ‘84 online. uthors note: Recently I was intrigued by a call-to-action post on re-opening after nearly a full year. Such simultaneous releases means cutting the potential au- ANextdoor.com. David Bradley had asked the right question to inspire The last storefront movie theater (sans parking lot) in SLO dience for theaters in half, especially with younger, tech-oriented others to share how they were “moving forward” financially during our County, and the only movie theater on the North Coast was put people who don’t mind watching a blockbuster film on a 5-inch worldwide pandemic. I was inspired to meet the man who cared enough up for sale in January by Mary Lou Jannopoulos, who’s owned the cell phone screen. about his Morro Bay neighbors to ask how they were doing and what they theater for some 25 years. Many residents sang the blues when word that the theater were producing. I’m pleased to introduce David Bradley and a few of his This after the coronavirus pandemic response shut down all was for sale hit the streets in January, after the Estero Bay News Nextdoor.com neighbors. theaters in California in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. first broke the story. Mid-February Bradley posted, “What’s everyone doing for Built in 1942 by the Army Corps of Engineers for soldiers at Shortly after that, the marquee was changed to simply say extra cash?” He went on to state he personally understood many the Morro Bay Naval Training Base (located on the power plant — “For Sale.” She was asking $1.5 million for what is essentially a have had to “pivot” to survive during this time and none of us property). Those Marines were training for World War II’s Pacific “turn-key” operation. anticipated their mainstay income would be challenged by a virus Theater. Mrs. Jannopoulos’ late husband Jim bought the Bay back But now the marquee reads, “Re-opening March 12, 2021 call COVID. He offered up his example “side hustle” which was a in 1973 from Ruth and Ted Morris. Anthony Hopkins in The Father PG-13.” book he had self-published in 2010, How to Stop Smoking With- She said the pandemic’s shutdown meant she had to dig “We got a picture, so I’m opening up,” Mary Lou Jannopou- out Killing Anyone. Although it took him eight months during the deep into her own savings to keep the theater going, as bills — for los told Estero Bay News. lock-down to create the new sales tool, he now has an Audible.com everything from utilities, to City business and County Health She noted that the State’s guidelines only allow her 25% version of his book on the market. Department license fees — didn’t stop with the forced closure of capacity. The Bay Theater seats 314, so she’ll be allowed to offi- “The point I’m making here is that what happens to us the theater. cially sell about 79 seats. doesn’t define us. It’s what we do about it - and with it - that will And the movie business has changed because of the pan- The re-opening of the Bay Theater comes after the Califor- ultimately determine who we are. We are all unique and experts at demic, as studios are now insisting on guaranteed longer runs for nia Department of Public Health up-graded SLO County into the something.” Bradley then concluded we could find ways to make all movies, even the flops, a greater cut of the gate — now up to “Red Tier” of the Governor’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy.” extra money doing something we love. 65% — and the fact that major studios have begun simultaneously Red is a step up from the “Purple Tier,” the strictest of the Bradley’s career is in sales. For years he was in automobile releasing major films directly to the public through online stream- blueprint’s 4-tiered grading system and lessens somewhat the sales in Southern California. Ten years ago he began his career ing services. Reopen Continued on page 15 Moving Forward Continued on page 14 Big Changes at Ariana’s Downtown Sports Springing Back to Life By Neil Farrell By Neil Farrell ike the life-giving spring sunshine, Lhigh school sports are getting the chance to blossom once again, after a year without competition due to the coronavi- rus pandemic. Several “fall sports” will have greatly abbreviated seasons, and for now, none of the winter indoor sports can hit the courts. Spring sports will start on time later this month. It’s all just a little cha- otic, as was 2020, in the midst of a raging pandemic. Morro Bay High Athletic Director, John Andree, will have his hands full. Coach Andree said the sports and teams that will compete are: Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country; Boys’ Golf (no junior varsity) and Girls’ Golf (no JVs); Boys’ Tennis (no JVs) and Girls’ Tennis (JVs & V); Boys’ and Girls’ Swimming and Diving (JV & V); Boys’ and Girls’ Track and Field (JV & V); Baseball (JV & V); Softball (no JVs); Football (no JVs); Boys’ and Girls’ Water Polo (JV & V); Boys’ Soccer (no JVs); and, Girls’ Soccer (no JVs). “We will have a total of 17 varsity teams and seven JV teams — 24 total — going at the same time,” Andree told Estero Bay News. “Going to be crazy; our facilities are going to be well-used.” local family has made a major investment from toy dolls, to blankets, colorful dresses and The winter sports — basketball, volleyball and wrestling — are not cleared yet under the Cali- in their Downtown Morro Bay business, leather sandals. fornia Department of Public Heath’s new guidelines for reopening sports on all levels. A The head of the CDPH, Dr. Tomás Aragón, said, “Youth sports are important to our children’s bringing a little of the Mexican culture to what Before, she explained, her father subleased physical and mental health, and our public health approach has worked to balance those benefits has to be the most colorful store in town. the restaurant space to another family but they against COVID-19 risks. With case rates and hospitalizations declining across California, we are Miriam Salgado, daughter of owner, Rafael left last November and have reopened in San allowing outdoor competition to resume, with modifications and steps to reduce risk, in counties Torres, said they’ve been remodeling the space Luis Obispo. where case rates are lower.” at 515 Morro Bay Blvd., since about last July. The space on the other side, was a meeting So the indoor sports are still on hold but the kids are working out and hopeful. “Girls volley- What’s resulted is a triple-space store with a space and artist studio that shut down because ball, boys volleyball, girls basketball, boys basketball and wrestling are also working out on campus in Mexican food market, a traditional Mexican of the pandemic. He was able to lease all three hopes their seasons will begin,” Coach Andree added. cuisine restaurant, and a gift shop filled with spaces from the single owner. Also undecided is whether fans will be allowed. “We are still working out the spectator issue,” imported items from south of the border — They took over the restaurant and opened Coach Andree said, “but if we allow spectators there will be a set number of ‘immediate’ family Big Changes Continued on page 15 Back to Life Continued on page 14 The Pirates National Police Are Guard Blotter Running Page 6 Page 8 Page 5 News to stop it, even if it wanted to. Health Department said Feb. 23, “but local health officials say it Former Supervisor City Zoning code No. 17.12.626 on supportive housing also has another benefit — the more people get tested, the faster reads, “’Supportive housing’ means housing with no limit on the State will ease pandemic-related restrictions locally.” length of stay, that is occupied by a target population, and that Testing is the Key Shirley Bianchi Dies is linked to an onsite or offsite service that assists the supportive The County said the key to regaining freedoms is testing for housing resident in retaining the housing, improving his or her the virus. health status, and maximizing his or her ability to live, and, when “Testing for COVID-19 is as important as ever,” said Dr. possible, work in the community.” Penny Borenstein, the County Health Officer. “First and fore- Graham added that in the State Health and Safety Code most, it helps you and your loved ones stay safe. But it also has an (No. 53260) target populations are listed as “low-income person added benefit of allowing us to progress towards safely reopening with mental disabilities, AIDS, substance abuse or chronic health our local businesses and schools.” conditions, or persons whose disabilities originated before the age The more testing that’s done, the potential increases for this of 18.” pandemic nightmare to be over.