Cover Story
Take a trip to the ’70s …
Virtuosic musicianship, neoclassical compositional structures, and three-part vocal harmonies have been the earmark of YES since their formation in London way back in 1968. They’re arguably the most successful progressive rock band of all time, but over their long career, keeping track of their various personnel changes has been a Byzantine undertaking. This much I…
¿Cómo se dice … ?
“Here’s the very first thing you need to know about Spanish: no one says ‘gringo’ anymore. Or, well, more like the only people that say ‘gringo’ are … you know, gringos.” This is the first lesson to be learned from Kitchen Spanish for Gringos, a zine-y little book created by artist and cook Matt Foote.…
Corrupt SLOPD narc officer pleads guilty to extortion
A San Luis Obispo police department detective caught pilfering the station’s evidence locker, not reporting confidential informants, and who inspired a District Attorney review of past cases has pleaded guilty to extortion. Cory Pierce, 39, of Arroyo Grande, pleaded guilty to one of two counts of extortion in federal court in Los Angeles on July…
Get me to the church on time
With his husband at his side, David Robinson took advantage of a June 26 gay rights rally at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse to make an announcement. “As of today, I am no longer David Robinson,” he proclaimed. “I am David Lindemulder.” Robinson admitted after the announcement that the identity shift isn’t yet legally…
Strange things are afoot at the Circle K
At 2:20 a.m. on July 1, a young Latino male wearing a Hunter S. Thompson T-shirt snatched an 18-pack of beer from the Circle K convenience store on Higuera Street and claimed to have a gun when the clerk gave chase. The suspect escaped in a gold full-sized pickup, but not before surveillance cameras captured…
Pencils down
For three years in a row, the city of Grover Beach failed to submit annual reports on its stormwater management program to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. The water board sent the city a complaint on June 26, demanding the 2010-2012 reports and threatening a fine of $35,000 for breaching the terms of its…
‘Crazy week’ placed strain on law enforcement
It was eight days of emergencies, exacerbated by tragedy, odd criminal behavior, a few close calls, and a record-breaking heat wave. It all amounted to what Sheriff’s Department Spokesperson Tony Cipolla described as “a crazy week”—not just for his department, but for law enforcement agencies across the county. It started on June 20, when sheriff’s…
BOS Chair Paul Teixeira dead at 57
San Luis Obispo County is in mourning following the sudden announcement that Board of Supervisors Chair and District 4 Supervisor Paul Teixeira has died. Teixeira died the night of June 26 after being taken to Marian Medical Center in Santa Maria. He was 57 years old. While the official cause of death has been announced…
Pampering for mothers-to-be
The weight of a new world surely sounds heavy to all you expecting mothers. And while Mother’s Day has already passed this year, it’s not too late to treat yourself. Barefoot MomEase Wellness Spa and Resale Boutique specializes in prenatal massage for pregnant mothers, also offering acupuncture, organic facials, and life coaching, providing a holistic…
If you could create your own firework, what would it be like and what would you name it?
Nicole Bond Powell’s Sweet Shoppe “Pop-n-Sparkle: I’m not fond of big booms, but I like sparkles and bright colors, so I would make it really colorful with a few smaller pops and booms.” Tyler Philliber Rocket Fizz “Exploding Rain: Mine would have 10 or 12 of those tiny fireworks that have really huge explosions go…
Let’s be honest about who has the power
Not many months ago, the SLO City Council made the resolution of homeless issues its No. 1 priority for the next two years. The council, and police chief Stephen Gesell, seemed more mature and enlightened about homeless problems. When the Downtown Association made an hysterical and exaggerated pitch for the assignment of two full-time police…
Don’t cave to unruly people
I’d like to add that many people now are feeling the wrath of climate change and adding smoke to the already hazardous air is ridiculous and uncalled for. There are alternatives to wood burning, such as gas, that would give these beach-burning fanatics a less-polluting fire. Why they feel the need to smoke up the…
There’s hope amid the unpleasantness
Mary Power Giacoletti hit the nail on the head with her commentary about the AQMD’s proposed ban followed by the unfortunate proposed compromise for wood burning on public beaches (“Douse the wood smoke,” June 27). I live about 500 feet away from the 27 fire pits at the beach we call “Big Corona” in Corona…
The burning ruined it
Please thank Mary Power Giacoletti for her great commentary on the hypocrisy and double standard regarding tobacco smoke vs. wood smoke (“Douse the wood smoke,” June 27). She really nailed it. On a recent vacation on the Central Coast, the only thing that tarnished an otherwise great time was the wood smoke.
Put a ring (pop) on it
I don’t have time to write this stupid column this week. I’m off to get married. And thanks to the Supreme Court, I don’t even have to scour the country for another human being willing to put a ring on my crusty, wart-riddled finger. I can marry the oak tree behind my hovel, or the…
Agenda 21 and me
It is hard to remember now—conspiring takes its toll on the ol’ noggin—but I think I first met Ban Ki-moon at a pagoda in a park in Brooklyn. We gave each other the one world government salute, which is sort of like a high-five only it’s done telepathically in perfect stillness. Soon we were strolling…
Yes, I’ve used the N-word
I’m not a racist! And I don’t know Paula Deen, star of the Food Network, or what’s in her heart so I don’t know if she is or is not a racist. But I certainly empathize with her and find most of the problems that have come her way unacceptable after her only crime was…
A state of hope
On June 15, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West blessed the world with their spawnage, and on June 26 the Supreme Court of the United States struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and repealed California’s Proposition 8, making me, a card-carrying gay, an almost fully fledged citizen of the United States of America. My mother…
Summertime menus are delicious and alluring
There are many SLO County chefs I’ve touted over the years, and I wish I could dine in their restaurants weekly. Too bad my wallet isn’t as big as my appetite. But whatever the price, I strive to return at least once every few months. There’s little I love as much as indulging in local…
Rodney Strong Vineyards 2011 Chardonnay Chalk Hill
I receive so much feedback from the oak-aged chardonnay aficionados asking for recommendations, it amazes me. While I honestly don’t love this style for sipping like I do stainless steel versions, I can appreciate a creamy-textured, well-balanced chardonnay. This Rod Strong version has lovely aromas and flavors of ripe apples, pears, and citrus notes that…
CLUBS – 7/4-7/13
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 Pismo…
It’s electrifying!
A visit to San Luis Obispo’s Brick House Goods is a somewhat tortuous affair for those of excellent taste and precious little means, such as myself. (Pretentious? Who, me?) But now that Brick House, the Chorro Street purveyor of thoroughly mod furniture and housewares, is playing host to a fantastic new art show called “Electric…
‘Tyranny of Beauty’
Mark Beck is a lanky, bespectacled man, who—a couple of decades ago—was a recognizable fixture of downtown SLO and considered one of the area’s finest artists. Originally from New Mexico, he returned there years ago, and his reputation as a fine artist has continued to grow. This month, his work is showing at the SLOMA.…
An ogre in the making
Shrek, the Musical is one of those rare productions that just might please everyone. It’s a musical for people who say they don’t like musicals. Its film- and theater-literacy made it gratifying for Broadway audiences, but it brings plenty of delightful fart jokes into the mix, too, in case all that other stuff isn’t your…
