New Times - San Luis Obispo

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MTV’s ‘The Real World’ trolls SLO for talent

K. C. Brown bought a $165 plane ticket and flew all the way from Utah to get a shot on MTV’s reality TV series “The Real World.”

“‘Road Rules’ sucks. They don’t get to shower that often. I want to get on ‘Real World,’ because they can’t vote you off,” she gushed.

She and hundreds of other hopefuls stood in line Tuesday morning, Oct. 21, outside of SLO Brew in the hopes of getting noticed during MTV’s local audition for an upcoming season of the series, in which seven 18- to 24-year-olds, male and female, are chosen to live together in a house and have their lives taped. The location for the next season has not yet been chosen.

When applicants were asked to name something unusual about themselves, one girl squeaked, “I’m addicted to Chapstick!” Others nodded sympathetically. “I have pierced nipples,” offered one young woman, yet in this group that did not appear to be unusual.

Full of energy and candor, applicants were required to sign an onerous contract that allows MTV and its representatives to do just about anything with their images and names—all for the slight chance of national exposure. Young men and women from Cal Poly, Cuesta, and surrounding communities met in groups and shared intimate secrets, trying to stand out to the scouts.

Discussion topics included who has had threesomes, who has cheated on a lover, who has given oral sex, and personal piercings. A representative from the casting company, Bunim/Murray Productions, admitted that scouts were most impressed by sincerity and charisma. The representative also made it clear that Bunim/Murray is not under any obligation to pick from the Central Coast. The current season of “The Real World” airs Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on MTV. For more information on “The Real World” casting opportunities, visit www.bunim-murray.com.

Los Osos treatment plant getting closer

San Luis County Supervisors voted 4-0 Tuesday in favor of building a $92 million sewage collection and treatment plant in Los Osos.

The plant’s proposed site—next to the Los Osos Library, Community Center, and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church—promises to bring some final hurdles to the project’s completion.

The Concerned Citizens of Los Osos, a community group in opposition of the plant, doesn’t agree with the project’s downtown location and promises to appeal the project to the state Coastal Commission. If that group approves of the current proposal, only a lawsuit could delay the 2004 scheduled construction.

The Los Osos Community Services District, formed in 1998 to handle the community’s sewer problem, has recently defended unrelated challenges successfully.

The approved project includes construction of a treatment plant at Los Osos Valley Road and Palisades Avenue, as well as 37 miles of sewage collection pipes laid throughout the community. Water would be treated at the site and returned to underground aquifers to be used as drinking water for the community.

Opponents of the plant think it would cause odors and pose a health threat because of spills, but district officials say the plant will be designed safely and any odors would be removed from air that’s released from the facility.

The bill’s in the mail

On Monday, Oct. 20, county tax collector Frank Freitas mailed out over 120,000 property tax bills for the 2003-04 year. They should be in the hands of taxpayers by Nov. 10. If your bill has not been received by that time, please notify the tax collector’s office at 781-5830.

The payments of these bills must be made by mail before midnight on Wednesday, Dec. 10. Payments can also be made in person at the tax collector’s office, room 203 of the County Government Center, 990 Palm St., SLO.

Mid-State Fair 2004 theme chosen

The California’s Mid-State Fair Board of Directors has chosen “Good Times Galore in 2004” as next year’s theme. The theme was the unanimous favorite among 35 ideas submitted by fair enthusiasts from throughout California. The winning author, who wishes to remain anonymous, will be given two season passes for the 2004 fair, along with two premier seats to a concert of their choice.

The fair has also announced three changes in its livestock show.

The first is a revised policy that will place all livestock into breed classes to be judged. Historically, the livestock animals were grouped by weight only.

The second revised policy prevents lightweight animals from staying on the grounds overnight due to the growth of the show and to limited space.

The third policy change requires exhibitors to produce three photos of their livestock to verify ownership.

For more information, visit www.midstatefair.com or call 239-0655.

Cal Poly Homecoming Week starts Oct. 27

“The Spirit of Cal Poly” is the theme for 2003 homecoming festivities, starting Monday.

The list of events:

Oct. 27, 10 a.m., University Union Plaza: Banner Hanging. Student teams competing for points will hang their homecoming banners in the University Union plaza. Banners will be judged for artistry and best conveyance of the homecoming theme.

Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Mott Gym Lawn: 19th annual Laugh Olympics. Teams will compete in events such as the Mount Your Mackerel contest.

Oct. 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mott Gym Lawn: Students donating blood. All donations support the Tri-Counties Blood Bank. All are welcome. 7-9 p.m.,Chumash Auditorium: Mock Rock.

Oct. 30, 11 a.m.-noon, UU Plaza: UU Rally Hour. Watch as students compete in a “Battle of the Sexes” game, a pumpkin-carving contest, and a chance to win raffle prizes and free pizza. 4-9 p.m., Sports Complex Fields: Powder Puff Football Game.

Nov. 1, 10 a.m., Downtown San Luis Obispo: Annual Homecoming Parade, beginning from Higuera and Morro streets and featuring floats, music, the 2003 Honored Alumni and the Cal Poly Homecoming Court.

For more details, visit the homecoming web site at www.homecoming.calpoly.edu.

No raise for supervisors

In a 4-1 vote, county supervisors denied giving themselves a 4 percent pay raise and decided to keep their annual salary at $68,681.

Supervisor Shirley Bianchi was the lone vote in favor of the raise, and said she didn’t do it for herself but for those who hold the positions in the future.

However, the board did approve a 4 percent pay raise for close to 2,000 county employees, because San Luis County operates under a prevailing wage law that essentially guarantees changes in wages upon reviews of wage changes in other counties. Voters approved this law in the 1970s.

Big theft at San Miguel CSD?

Sheriff’s deputies have been investigating an alleged cash shortage at the San Miguel Community Services District (SMCSD) that might total as much as $25,000.

San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bill Wammock said deputies have taken a report on the alleged theft, and that the amount of missing money is still in question. He said the case has been classified as “active” and has been forwarded to detectives for investigation.

He said deputies have no suspects at this time.

Environmental groups may buy Montaña de Oro ‘hotel site’

The Coastal Conservatory will vote on Thursday, Oct. 23 on whether to allocate $1.25 million to buy 42 acres of land in Montaña de Oro State Park.

The lot is known as “the hotel site” because it is zoned to allow for a future hotel—a big reason the site may be purchased and therefore protected.

The Wildlife Conservation Board and the State Parks Department are expected to pitch in and help out with the $3.3 million dollar purchase price.

The purchase is also expected to protect rare dune scrub habitat, as well as an estimated 20 sensitive plant species. ³

This week’s What’s News was compiled by Staff Writer Matt McBride and News Editor Daniel Blackburn. Photographer Christopher Gardner and Arts Editor Brandi Stansbury contributed.