Cover Story
What’s he building in there?: The uncertain future of a planned behavioral health treatment facility in Templeton
Directly across the street from Twin Cities Community Hospital on Las Tables Road in Templeton sits a field. The 3-acre parcel slopes down and southward away from the street, toward a patch where bare trees slurp up water from Toad Creek, which runs through the property—when there’s actually water. A towering, 30-foot-tall berm runs from…
Supervisors undergo sudden shift as Mecham steps aside for Arnold
While discussing a parliamentary spat that’s been heating up since its first meeting of 2015, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors underwent a sudden change in leadership after District 1 Supervisor Frank Mecham unexpectedly stepped down from his seat as chair and nominated District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold to take his place. Mecham…
Are we policing for the people?
San Luis Obispo Police Chief Steve Gesell wrote an op-ed last month (“A shocking and growing lack of deference to the law,” Dec. 3, Tribune). It was disturbing both due to its demeaning tone toward the public and the content that can charitably be described as asinine. First, Chief Gesell evidently believes that all police…
Winter of discontent: There’ve been three reported sexual assaults in three months at Cal Poly. Now what?
If asked to condemn sexual violence, the vast majority of people on this planet likely wouldn’t pause for a second before doing so. It’s not as if there’s widespread abiding affection for one of humanity’s most horrific crimes or those who perpetrate it. As happens far too often, though, the chasm between words and actions…
Steve Adams will receive $71,073 in severance pay
Just a few days after the Arroyo Grande City Council authorized city staff to negotiate with former City Manager Steve Adams regarding his request for severance pay, both parties have come to a resolution. Interim City Manager Bob McFall announced at the council’s Jan. 27 meeting that the council has agreed to pay Adams $71,073…
California lawmakers introduce the End of Life Option Act
A group of California legislators, including Central Coast Sen. Bill Monning, introduced a bill that would give terminally ill adults the option to receive and self-administer aid-in-dying medication in California. Speaking at a press conference on Jan. 21, Monning joined Sen. Lois Wolk and Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman to unveil the bill. According to a…
What’s the most complicated or annoying drink order you’ve gotten?
Jesse Gomez barista “Venti iced quad-espresso ristretto with 10 caramel, shaken. After the shake, scoop out the foam and add 2%. Then it wasn’t sweet enough so she had me make it again.” Brittney Howard barista “The Freezes. They’re by far the most time and effort consuming items on our menu.” Adam Watson barista “Forcing…
Kreuzberg Coffee’s Sarsaparilla Ginger Kombucha and Bodegas Winery’s 2009 Pimenteiro
It’s weird that a fermented drink made with tea, sugar, bacteria, and yeast can taste so freakishly good. Oh, kombucha, how I love your healthy, tangy ways. When imbued with earthy sarsaparilla—root beer’s saucy cousin—and brightened with a dose of palate-cleansing ginger, consider me hooked. I pray that this drink doesn’t vanish from the…
Shadowlands releases their debut album on Jan. 31 at Steynberg Gallery
There’s Shadowland from Troy, N.Y. , that plays Celtic-Americana-roots music. There’s Shadowland, the British prog-rock act. There’s Shadowlands of Laurel, Md., a contemporary jazz and acoustic music act. There’s Shadowlands of Orlando, Fla., a Christian band. There’s Shadowland in Simsboro, La., “currently seeking bassist.” There’s even Shadowlawn, a seventh grade basketball pep band. But forget…
Clubs 1/29/15-2/5/15
Goin’ South … THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. CUVEE BISTRO AND CHAMPAGNE BAR: 550 1st St., Avila Beach, 595-2245. Live music Thurs. and Sat. 6-9pm. F. MCLINTOCKS SALOON: Two locations: 750 Mattie Road in Pismo Beach and 133 Bridge St. in Arroyo Grande. 773-1892 or mclintocks.com. Live music at the…
SLO Little theatre stages Pulitzer finalist play ‘4000 Miles’
The Proclaimers have famously declared that they “would walk 500 miles.” Not to be outdone, piano popster Vanessa Carlton claimed she would “walk a thousand miles.” Well, they’re all lazy daisies. Playwright Amy Herzog boasts way more with her dramatic comedy 4000 Miles, which the SLO Little Theatre will be staging a reading of on…
Cuesta’s stages acclaimed original play ‘pool ’63’
Nearly two years ago, after hearing about the death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, Cuesta College Theater Arts Director bree valle was inspired to create a show. She began researching and dove deep into America’s turbulent and often tragic history with race. Along with a group of students, she centered on a specific time and place—a…
Two local performers star in new national tour of Broadway musical ‘Memphis’
When you hear the name Memphis, you can’t help but think of music. The city boasts an embarrassment of legends like Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Aretha Franklin, all of whom made their start there. It only makes sense then that the town would eventually becomes its own Broadway musical. And that’s exactly…
Comedy troupe Second City hits Cal Poly for 55th anniversary tour
Look at any major comedic film or TV show from the last few decades, and you’ll find an alumnus of The Second City—the infamous improv enterprise based out of the Windy City. John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray, Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Amy Poehler, and Tina Fey all cut their teeth at what has become,…
Los Osos resident Jory Brigham proceeds through Spike TV’s design competition show ‘Frameworks’
If you haven’t been following Spike TV’s Tuesday night reality show Frameworks, you should, especially if you’re into design, furniture, innovation, and snarky contestants crowing about how much better they are than their competition. Among the braggadocios is mild-mannered, laidback Los Osos surf dude Jory Brigham, whose designs have been wowing the series’ judges, including…
Forks and corks
Be a wiener! Have you heard that Sal’s Paradise has begun a transformation into a Bratwurst biz? Word on the street: There’s already a brat mobile truck roaming around the city, meaning my dreams have officially come true (if you see the truck, please snap a pic and send it in!) … The Paso Robles…
The best part of waking up: Kreuzberg roaster Shawn Clark is brewing hand-crafted coffee education
It goes something like this: Order coffee. Sniff hot liquid. Sigh at nothing in particular. Dump sugar. Stir cream. Sip. Admire the ring of red lipstick left on the mug. Anticipate the feverish magic of caffeine as it travels hot and slick down my gullet. Yes, I am one of those careless morning zombies who…
She blinded me with science: Former professer brings excitement back to learning
Science is easily the coolest subject that kids get to study in school. It’s the discipline that encompasses explosions, dinosaurs, robots, lasers, stars, and basically every other awesome thing in the universe. It’s such a shame that many young’uns see science as just another boring class to slog through. That’s what made former Cal Poly…
Cougars & Mustangs
There are good days. There are bad days. And then there are some of the worst days of your entire life. I’ve had all three in spades as of late and, as you might expect, the effect on my mental health has been terrible. As a 20-something with Asperger’s syndrome it really helps to have…
Reunited: Steven Gordon of the Doobie Dozen recollected his property from county evidence
View a slideshow of the return of property. With a red-handled pocket knife in his shaking hand, Steven Gordon hovered over a spread of brown paper bags and boxes. “It’s like Christmas,” he half heartedly joked. In fact, the boxes and bags that lay before him were all sealed and dated three days after Christmas,…
‘Clowns’ and ‘weed huts:’ New Times reviews hundreds of pages of emails between Morro Bay and its business license auditor
Early in the afternoon last October, Kevin Weigant of the Fresno-based firm Municipal Auditing Services (MAS) sent an email to Morro Bay City Manager David Buckingham. In it, he laid out four points in defense of his company from what he characterized as exaggerations and “BS” from some upset members of the Morro Bay business…
The South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District will pursue a comprehensive review
Taking heed of public dissatisfaction, the newest incarnation of the South San Luis Obispo County Sanitation District Board of Directors voted unanimously at its Jan. 21 meeting to initiate a thorough study of operations at the sewage treatment plant the board oversees. The board has long resisted pursuing such a review, but Jim Hill—newly seated…
Clown narc
I’ve got a brilliant new business plan that’s going to sweep the nation, starting with the late-night infomercials and ending with me becoming Ellen Degeneres’ new bestie. Of course, when El (which I’ll call her, although no one else will be allowed to call her that) realizes that I’ve been couch-hopping with any television host…
Support for currency and law enforcement is maintained
Modern civilized societies worldwide place great value on stability and high living standards. Two important supporting features include law enforcement and currency. Taken out of context, they would amount to strange-looking paper and people in various uniforms. Because of the value that almost all of a society’s members assign, the authority of currency and law…
Bring research to Morro Bay’s stacks
What to do with the property formerly a power plant in Morro Bay? Everyone I have spoken to says “please keep the stacks!” They are a true Morro Bay landmark. Then what to do with the property? Well, since the bay and estuary are true natural features, why can’t we establish a research center, using…
We can’t put off acting against climate change
Hardly a day goes by without another worrisome news headline about our changing climate. Just this past week, studies have been released showing that 2014 may have been the hottest year in recorded history, sea levels are rising much faster than anticipated, and human activity has pushed Earth beyond four of nine “planetary boundaries,” including…
Thanks for being credible
I was impressed with the Robert Cuddy opinion regarding the Arroyo Grande mayoral election (“Jan. 1 didn’t erase 2014’s wounds in Arroyo Grande,” Jan. 8). Nice to know that there is still a credible local source for news and commentary, where the commentary is clearly labeled as such. — Fred Pope – Grover Beach
