Cover Story
Let them compete
The parking lot at Daniel Lewis Middle School in Paso Robles was mostly empty on a recent cold and quiet morning, until a handyman’s truck pulled in and stopped briefly. The school was closed for winter break, and the driver wasn’t there to fix anything. A young boy got out and ran with sneakers in…
Where’s the best spot for hide and seek?
Brian Hascall sheriff’s commander “Under the bed.” Katelyn Judson Inverness and Crane founder “I recently played hide and seek, drunk, and hid in a small cupboard.” Kaitlyn and Jacob Cameron unemployed Kaitlyn: “Someplace there is camouflage and people can walk right by you without seeing you.” Jacob: “If you find a really tall tree, you…
Birds of a feather
You know how sometimes two performers find that there’s magic between them—some kind of mystical musical alchemy there’s no accounting for; it’s just there. That’s how it is with JT Nero and Allison Russell, the members of Birds of Chicago, an alt-folk duo playing two SLOfolks. These two singer-songwriters—he the front man of the Chicago…
One shot?
Can I borrow your boat for a photo shoot?” asks New Times Managing Editor Ashley Schwellenbach. For the record, my “boat” is more of a dingy with a mast. It’s a 14-foot flat-bottomed Garvey, a boat made for shallow waters like the back bay near Los Osos or Laguna Lake. Named the Mudhen and purportedly…
Cats galore!
My childhood impression of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats was that it was terrifying, but now that I’ve grown up, I realize Cats is also awesome: Webber’s stylish and bizarre musical is based on T.S. Elliot’s An Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, and tells the story of a cat tribe called the Jellicles, on the…
Let the geekery begin!
2012 was one hell of a year for books. In fact, it might have been a bit too good. With new works from the likes of Junot Diaz, Zadie Smith, J.K. Rowling, Christopher Moore, Neal Stephenson, Salman Rushdie, William Gibson, Marilynne Robinson, Justin Cronin, Don Winslow, Dennis Lehane, Michael Chabon, Mark Z. Danielewski, Jonathan Green,…
Clubs: 1/10
Goin’ South … BRANCH ST. DELI: 203 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 489-9099. Live music Fri. from 5:30-8:30 p.m. THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. 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…
Troublemaker Blend 4 Paso Robles
One of several excellent quality wines made by winemaker Austin Hope, this wine is well worth seeking out. I have always loved Rhone blends, although the stand-alone varieties are equally remarkable. This cuvée of 67 percent Syrah, 22 percent Mourvedre, 8 percent Grenache, and 3 percent Petite Sirah impressed me. It’s also a multi-vintage, a…
Stolo Family Winery
Have you heard about the new up-and-coming wine trail in SLO County’s coastal hamlet of Cambria? It’s named the Pacific Coast Wine Trail, and it’s a natural in Cambria given the quaint town’s popularity as a tourist destination. Among the wine group’s new members is Stolo Family Winery, which has been farming grapevines since 2002…
Bites: A little pizza my heart
In the spirit of full disclosure: I am a California girl, born and raised (apart from a brief stint as a Midwest girl in my grammar school days). I know a lot about beaches, tans (I get mine from a spray can one month out of the year), palm trees, and at which restaurants in…
It was an ending
“What are you doing?” “Waiting on hold.” Five minutes later. “Still?” “Yeah … no wait, someone just picked up. Hold on. Oh you do? That’s great! Thanks!” Click. “How far is Ontario?” “Canada?” “Oh man, I hope not. L.A..” “Couple hours, I think. Wait, why?” “They have a copy of A Memory of Light!” “It’s…
State agencies should share the burden of tough times
Many middle- and lower-income Californians are facing harsh financial problems. The cost of basic necessities is rising steadily. State taxes and fees are among the highest in the nation—and taxes are going up, again. Times are tough for a lot of California folks. So state agencies should share this burden. After all, the state’s money…
Our kids don’t have a chance
News flash: Take away the Second Amendment. Take away the guns. Put into place more gun control laws. This will stop the killing. Coming from our so-called fix-it-all government. News Flash: We don’t need any more gun control laws; what we need is drug control laws. We have 300,000 children in the school system who…
Cal Poly is floating on victory
I have a daughter who lives in Pasadena, so I went down to the Rose Parade this year, and it was wonderful. I have to congratulate Cal Poly on their float. It was really cute and won the Bob Hope Humor Award. Way to go, Poly!
Don’t be a sheep
I am not a “sewer nut,” though being from Los Osos and having a concern for the sewer’s economic impact to our county from the loss of discretionary spending for residents tends to classify me as one. That’s the unfortunate picture the Tribune, Bruce Gibson, and apparently you paint of discourse in Los Osos. You’re…
Wake up to this complex situation
Regarding your reference to the board of supervisors as “exhausted” in “Reviewasaurus” (Dec. 27): Exhausted—really? There are many Tuesdays they don’t fill a full day’s agenda. With the exception of the few issues they have taken on (seismic testing and a few others), they pretty much behave as if they’re a chamber of commerce with…
The Land Conservancy makes keeping green easier
Thank you for highlighting the benefits of land conservation in the Jan. 3 cover story “Conserving SLO’s greenbelt.” I’m grateful for the city’s natural resources program, and I’m happy to note that there’s even more good news happening outside the SLO greenbelt. In addition to assisting the city’s program, the Land Conservancy of San Luis…
This place is what it is
In the recent article “A mitzvah with movies,” (Jan. 3), Lauren Bandari made several provocative comments about our area, saying “Christmas feels louder [here].” Now, we’re a pretty tolerant place and welcome newcomers from all over. But did she not realize when she moved here that SLO is an old mission city, founded by a…
We want to build bridges
I read the recent article about the upcoming JCCSLO-sponsored Jewish Film Festival (“A mitzvah with movies,” Jan. 3) with mixed emotions. I am grateful that New Times is publicizing the festival and highlighting the diversity of the Jewish experience. But I must voice my disappointment in the way Mr. Powell characterized JCC Executive Director Lauren…
Open ears and hearts
The recent announcement by KCBX of its proposal to eliminate afternoon classics has come as a shock to those of us who have come to rely on this station as the voice of classical music on the Central Coast. KCBX has long been the source of listener pride when it comes to an eclectic slate…
Advocating for the elderly
Rita Mertens, a long-time retiree to the Central Coast, has been advocating for the elderly for more than 20 years. As a state-certified Long Term Care Ombudsman, Mertens volunteers her time visiting long-term care facilities to ensure that residents receive the highest possible quality of life and care. Mertens is part of the Long Term…
Questions for: Andrew Jennings
NEW TIMES What is Toastmasters? JENNINGS A self-improvement club helping novice and experienced speakers become better speakers. NEW TIMES Where and when does SLO Toastmasters (Club 83) meet? JENNINGS Every Thursday morning at 6:30 a.m., 895 Aerovista Place in San Luis Obispo. NEW TIMES How would you describe the atmosphere of a Toastmasters…
Put a cork in it
Up is up. Grass is green. Pulp is gross. Supervisor Adam Hill’s a pain in the ass. The sky is blue. Eco-hooligan Bill Denneen’s a cool old progressive dude. The Earth rotates around the sun. It’s a simple worldview, warm and snug, with very little chance of some naysayer coming along and rocking my metaphorical…
Cougars & Mustangs
Spring quarter has started, Mustangs! Your first week is just about over! But don’t give up yet. As it turns out, the school you’re going to isn’t that bad. In fact, one could even say it’s fairly decent. It would have to be to be ranked 12th in the nation among public universities on a…
A volunteer on a mission
Like most kids, the members of the Red Dragons soccer team just wanted to have fun, hone their soccer skills, and play. The problem is, according to their coach, that last season they didn’t initially feel included in the Atascadero Youth Soccer Association (AYSA). You see, the Red Dragons are part of TOPSoccer, a community-based…
Plant it elsewhere
The biggest infrastructure project in recent North Coast history has taken a long-awaited turn by a new Morro Bay City Council majority—and the remaining members of the old guard aren’t mincing any words in voicing their displeasure. The hotly contested project is likely to be scrapped by state regulators soon anyway, but the existing wastewater…
Sharing is caring
Calling all friends of parents, nurses, teachers, community volunteers, and other courageous do-gooders of San Luis Obispo County! Bluebird Salon is holding a “New Year, New You” contest on its Facebook page that aims to showcase all of the inspiring, hard-working members of our community who might otherwise go unnoticed. The winning nominee and his…
Corrections
• In the Dec. 21 article “Cuesta cuts some, modifies others,” the scope of the 10 programs cut by the Cuesta College Board of Trustees was inaccurate. Just six programs included degrees or certificates. • In the Jan. 3 article “Movies with a mitzvah,” the relationship between the Jewish Community Center and the San Luis…
Judge asks tough questions in Santa Margarita Ranch suit
The two parties embroiled in legal battle over the 2008 approval of the controversial Santa Margarita Ranch development had their last chance to argue their cases before a judge on Jan. 4 at the Paso Robles courthouse. And unlike in a similar Nov. 22 hearing, this time San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Jac…
OHV Fund didn’t hide money after all
Allegations that California’s Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Fund failed to disclose $34 million in surplus revenue at the close of 2011 have been dismissed, following an extensive investigation by the Office of the Attorney General. A report published Dec. 31 verified that $20 million had been kept from the Department of Finance by the State Parks…
Alleged fraud dug up at cemetery
In less than two years, Janice Jonsin bore the deaths of her mother and son, only to relive the trauma in May 2012, when both graves were exhumed as part of an investigation of fraud. A lawsuit Jonsin filed against Leland Smith, owner of San Luis Cemetery, claims that Jonsin’s mother bought several pre-interment plans…
Two Myers defendants plead guilty, one gets life
One defendant in the trial stemming from the 2010 kidnapping and murder of 15-year-old Nipomo resident Dystiny Myers will spend the rest of his life in prison, following a plea agreement reached with the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s Office. Another has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing. On Jan. 3, Ty Michael Hill, 29,…
Police union, officer take aim at Arroyo Grande
Arroyo Grande is facing another two legal challenges; one from its police officer’s union alleging unfair bargaining practices, and a second from a current officer accusing the city of not following due process in dealing with an unspecified disciplinary action. On Dec. 20, the Arroyo Grande Police Officers Association filed an unfair practices charge against…
Paso’s first choice for police chief declines job offer
The San Diego Police Department captain who wooed Paso Robles residents and officials with his 29 years of law enforcement experience and “positive air of confidence” during recent community interview panels withdrew his candidacy to become the city’s next chief of police, Mayor Duane Picanco revealed in a Jan. 3 press release. According to Picanco,…
Changing of the guard
Outgoing San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors Chair Jim Patterson offered congratulatory words to incoming District 5 Supervisor Debbie Arnold (pictured), following her swearing-in at a special Jan. 7 meeting. District Four Supervisor Paul Teixeira was also sworn-in as the new board chair, an honor that rotates every year by district. Arnold started her tenure…
