Cover Story
Merry Christmas
The SLO City Park Rangers who came armed with chainsaws a week ago did a thorough job of demolishing the elaborate campsite that has been Eddie Tolosko’s home for the past 11 years. They destroyed his garden—non-native species, he said they told him. They cut down the branches that had offered shelter, concealment, and containment…
Be seduced in Shell Beach
It may be a chilly time of year, but never fear—there’s a hot new event to warm you up. It’s the first-ever Shell Beach Winter Solstice Music and Art Festival, celebrating the return of the light with five bands and some awesome art. The compulsively danceable Blue Turtle Seduction headlines the celebration, which also features…
Review the deal
The Copeland Chinatown project, which reporter Kylie Mendonca says “has raised eyebrows because of its size and location,” should be a brow raiser because of the incredible financial giveaway by SLO city, which owns two thirds of the site. A few years ago, the Copelands negotiated a closed-door deal to purchase this prime taxpayer-owned property…
The solution is overdue
First, let me say my heart goes out to all the families of accident victims who lost their lives or have been injured at Pismo State Beach. I am one of the lucky ones, because I survived a horrific incident while lying on the beach, reading a book. In March of 2003, I was run…
Extremists want to spoil the fun
Regarding Nell Langfords’ commentary about Off Highway Vehicles using the Oceano Dunes Recreation Area (“Let’s return to nature,” Dec. 18), there are some general falsehoods and downright misinformation put forth. The camping fee is $20, the day use fee per vehicle is $5. It has been estimated that approximately 1 million people visit the Oceano…
Prevent another tragedy
We very much appreciate your ongoing coverage of the tragic death of Cal Poly freshman Carson Starkey due to alcohol poisoning. We can only hope as more light is focused on such tragic incidents, our society will become more committed to end them. We lose more than 1700 children to alcohol-related deaths each year. If…
Home
I am rereading Desert Solitaire and was struck again with the truth expressed by Edward Abbey. He’s begun a new job, the lonely business of winter ranger at a national park in Utah. It’s his first night and he learns that using his flashlight on his leisurely stroll around the park’s mobile home destroys the desert…
Thanks to Ashbaugh and Romero
I know you have received much negative mail regarding the parking lot for Mitchell Park. I would like to give some positive comments. I thank Mayor Romero and John Ashbaugh for trying to work out a compromise solution to this situation. Mr. Ashbaugh did meet and listen to both sides of the issue. He spent…
Have they no shame?
Great article by James Duenow on the Three Amigos and their last act (“Amigos, spare us your Last Hurrah,” Dec. 11). Only it was not their last act; the drama continues. Around 5 p.m., when it looked like their agenda was going to go into the wee hours of the morning, the Three Amigos stood…
Not lovin’ it
San Luis Obispo can’t even do bad times properly. Bad times are when everybody goes to McDonald’s. Across the country, sales are surging as the poor iron-stomached masses are drawn in by those great deals—for just $5 and the price of your medical co-pay at the cardiologist, you can get a temporarily satisfying meal. In…
As luminous as a cereal bowl
“A lathe is about as simple a machine as there is,” said Dewey Garrett. It is, in fact, the sundry possibilities presented by a tool so uncomplicated that makes the California Contours exhibit at the SLO Art Center topography worthy of exploration. According to the Livermore-based woodturner, the only indispensable materials include a lathe, band…
Haubnob your way downtown
An unlikely event occurred in October. And by unlikely, I mean that a new business opened in downtown SLO. No, not closed. More improbable is the nature of the business—an art gallery. The Haub Gallery, to be precise. Carrie and Jean-Paul opened their gallery doors—situated at 956 Monterey St., on the corner of Morro and…
Nuke engineers picket for safety
On a brisk morning near the edge of Avila Beach, a line of nuclear engineers marched at the gated entrance to the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, shouting for PG&E management to make safety their top priority. The picketers were not striking and, in fact, several had work later that day. Although the word “strike”…
No environmental review for sand mine, yet
SLO County supervisors voted to let Paul Viborg mine sand from the Estrella River despite protests from legal, environmental, and planning experts that the environmental review has been minimal so far, if not illegal. County supervisors argued well into the night on Dec. 16 over Viborg’s mining operation, which will take up to 45,000 cubic…
Outfoxed
Wildlife and solar experts faced off—literally—over the future of solar technology in California Valley and the fate of the endangered kit fox. In a small wood-floored building just a few miles from the proposed Carrizo Energy Solar Farm, members of the California Energy Commission, the Department of Fish and Game, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife…
Outgoing supes won’t let go on ranch vote
It didn’t take long for SLO County supervisors to switch from goodbyes and handshakes to bickering. All it took to kill the good mood was the Santa Margarita Ranch project. The Dec. 16 Board of Supervisors meeting began with acknowledgments to Supervisors Jerry Lenthall and Harry Ovitt for their last meeting as supervisors. As the…
Ride off
Ride-On, a countywide shuttle that caters to seniors and people with disabilities, announced it will likely be forced to discontinue the discounted senior shuttle. The service was forced to raise prices earlier this year to $3 for a one-way trip, citing higher gas prices. Now with the state budget crisis, Ride-On Executive Director Mark Shaffer…
SLO Farmers’ market delayed
SLO’s Thursday night Farmers’ Market will not be held on Christmas night or New Year’s Day, but instead will be held on Friday, Dec. 26 and Friday, Jan. 2. —Kylie Mendonca
Messages to the new board, part 4:
Editor’s note: This is the fourth of five monthly Sierra Club commentaries devoted to policy recommendations for the incoming County Board of Supervisors In our last message (“Let’s protect our agriculture and save ourselves,” Nov. 26), we looked at steps the County Supervisors should take to keep our agricultural lands in agriculture. We addressed strengthening…
Clubs
Goin’ South … BILL’S PLACE: 112 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9989. Fri.-Tues.: Karaoke. CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, Shell Beach, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. Live music on Sat. from 1-5pm and Sun. Jazz from 11am-3pm. Mon. and Tues.: Louie Ortega. DOLPHIN BAY/LIDO: 2727 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach, 773-4300 or TheDolphinBay.com. Mon. and Wed.:…
Meet Eric Meyer
Pushing his classic steel-framed bike down the wet streets near Steynberg Gallery in SLO, Eric Meyer paused to point out a pair of craftsman-style houses he’d renovated. Formerly shabby college bungalows, the houses stood side by side, with tidy lawns and fresh paint. The whole neighborhood, he noted, used to be a little run-down—student housing…
Gloria Ferrer Brut Sonoma County NV (non-vintage)
After reading Wine Spectator’s annual sparkling wine report and their tasting note, which rates this value-priced wine 87 points, I ran out to get it. And what a wonderful surprise it was: fresh and zingy with forward fruit flavors of green apple and sweet pear beautifully entwined with lemon and minerals. It’s quite a good…
Jack Creek Cellars 2006 Pinot Noir
Another outstanding Pinot from this relatively new Paso Robles winery, this one will be difficult to keep stashed in your cellar. It is pure pleasure tasting rich blackberry, black cherry, and boysenberry aromas and flavors highlighted with bright notes of raspberry and pomegranate. Aged 16 months in 100 percent French oak (25 percent new), it’s…
Rushing revisited
New Times Tell me about your new house. Do you have your own studio now? How has it affected your painting? Lena Rushing We recently moved to a house that has a huge bonus room; half of that room is my ‘studio.’ At the old house, I used my little kitchen counter as my workspace, where…
Open for business
One obstacle faced by many culinary artisans on the Central Coast is a lack of resources needed to operate their own commercial kitchen—a daunting task to overcome when seeking to begin a new business venture. It is with these cooks, caterers, bakers, and chefs in mind that local businesswoman and Greek cuisine specialist Kathy Ruoff…
What would you have thrown at George Bush?
Stefanie Hilstein art advisor “Nothing, I’m nice.” Bill “Troll” Soder rides his bike “Feces” Lourdis Ponce registered nurse “My big purse” Art Sandoval server “A wolverine”
David Baumgarten
NEW TIMES: What’s best about being a tow truck driver? BAUMGARTEN: Just knowing that you’re helping people that are in a bind—people always express gratitude when someone comes and saves the day. NEW TIMES: What’s worst about being a tow truck driver? BAUMGARTEN: Working in the rain, because even though people are still always grateful,…
Smell the pines and fill the seats in Cambria
Holidays in the Pines is an annual event taking place through Dec. 23 in the small, delightful village of Cambria. What better way to do the holidays up right in the traditional sense? This tiny hamlet is decked out with lights, festive events, decorations, deals, and discounts. Where the pine-studded knolls unfold along a breathtaking…
Paso Robles speakeasy
The owners of this unique eatery explain the concept on their website and business cards: “Level Four revives the style and savvy of the Prohibition Era of the 1920s.” It’s a blend of fine dining and nightclub that’s quite different from other establishments, with its difficult-to-spot little sign above a door that leads only to…
Was a pat on the back a slap in the face?
Some saw it as just a pat on the back, but Vern Dahl felt it was more sinister. For him, it was the pat that broke the camel’s back. Dahl is a six-year veteran on the Oceano Community Service District board of directors who just began a new four-year term. Following the Nov. 12 board…
