Cover Story
Phoebe’s side
More than a dozen receipts are taped to the cupboards of Phoebe Hearst Cooke’s small kitchen, records of money owed helpers and friends for groceries, meals, and sundries. Cooke—on paper one of the wealthiest women in America—for now can’t pay them back; all of her money and her entire estate are under the control of…
Would you let the universities perform stem-cell research?
Brian O’Donovan teacher “Frankly, I believe that life is sacred, but I would say let the universities do stem-cell research. If it’s in the interest of science, I’m not going to stand in the way.” Ann Springer retired “I don’t believe in stem-cell research—period.” Karen Willhoit homemaker “I’m not sure how I feel about that,…
The surf’s up in Shell Beach
New Times Your movie Blue Green is screening in Shell Beach. Is it screening anywhere else? Ben Keller The West Coast Tour includes 14 screenings from Seattle to Encinitas, California in 16 days. It’s pretty crazy. New Times You’re from Maine? Keller Indeed. There’s a saying in Maine that if you’re self-employed you have to…
It’s a bird! It’s a culturally charged musical experience!
In scientific circles, the term quetzal refers to a crimson-chested bird located in tropical regions of Central America. With iridescent green plumage, the exotic bird, genus Pharomachrus, answers to several names, among them the crested, golden-headed, and resplendent quetzal. Those who climb the mountainous regions where it resides often hear its song, a single high-pitched…
Masters of the stage
Perhaps my favorite thing about PCPA, besides eavesdropping on the conversations of fellow audience members that precede each play, is the fact that once you are somewhat familiar with the company, you begin to compare the actors’ roles in various productions, often with comedic or surprising results. Erik Stein, for example, assumes the role of…
Citizen’s Alert 04.16.09
PUBLIC MEETINGS Monday, April 20 Grover Beach City Council public meets in the City Hall Council Chambers, Grover Beach City Hall, 154 S. Eighth St. at 6:30 p.m. Info: 489-9657. Morro Bay Planning Commission meets at 6 p.m. in the Morro Bay Veterans Hall, 209 Surf St. Info: 772-6200. Watch it live on Morro Bay…
Bad budget, bad blood
The county’s public safety employees—sheriff’s deputies, probation officers, and the like—are seemingly immune from layoffs, which might be why none of their local unions agreed to voluntarily cut their pay and benefits when asked by administrators. But when faced with layoffs, the county’s janitors and maintenance workers were more willing to take a hit in…
Sexual predator settles locally
Kenneth Rasmuson, a convicted child molester designated as a “sexually violent predator,” who was released from Atascadero State Hospital in 2007, moved onto a 21-acre property northeast of Lompoc on March 20 of this year. Neighbors there say he isn’t welcome in their community, and Santa Barbara county officials are up in arms over what…
Yes, robbers are hitting banks in SLO County
If it seems like there have been a lot of bank robberies lately, that’s because there have been. The number of bank robberies in SLO County during 2007 and 2008 was nearly quadruple that of the previous five years. Last year, there were eight bank robberies in the county—the largest number since 2000 when there…
Colleges cut back without hoped-for funds
California’s budget crisis has meant huge cuts for public schools. Cal Poly is facing an almost $3 million drop in its operating budget in the fall, on top of about $25 million in cuts since 2005. Larry Kelley, vice president for administration and finance, said $2.6 million is coming directly out of budgeted academic instruction…
Who reports if the news goes on strike?
KSBY-TV news could be suffering after May 1, if union leaders can’t reach an agreement with the company. Kevin Wilson, president of the local chapter of the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians, said the group has been negotiating with KSBY since January, but the two sides are still “mile and miles” apart. The…
Sprint sues county over cell tower dispute
Denial of Sprint’s plan to place cell phone towers on a remote Toro Creek mountaintop near Highway 41 West has landed the SLO County Board of Supervisors in federal court. Sprint PCS Assets, LLC, and landowners Ed and Nancy Harden filed a lawsuit alleging the company’s rights under the federal Telecom Act of 1996 were…
Blakeslee vs. China: round two
Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee believes members of the Chinese Consulate blocked his bill to declare Tibetan Awareness Day in California, so he’s firing back with legislation. Blakeslee, a Republican who represents SLO County, authored Assembly Bill 1334, which would require representatives from foreign countries to register as lobbyists. It’s a direct response to active opposition by…
Reclamator inventor gets bad news
Tom Murphy’s case against the state is sinking. The inventor of the Reclamator, a sewage-treatment device touted to Los Osos residents as the answer to their long-running sewer woes, recently sued the state for libel, but San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Barry LaBarbera said Murphy has no case. Murphy alleges the Reclamator works as…
Move your body
The Yoga Centre is celebrating 17 years of dance, yoga, and movement in SLO with a 12-hour festival of free classes April 18. The curriculum includes Gyrotonics, women’s ecstatic dance, adult and kids’ yoga, and pole dancing, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. That’s just the beginning. Owner Amy Swan said she’s on a mission…
Opponents of gay marriage defy logic
One of the most common arguments against same sex-marriage is it will threaten the institution of marriage. Please logically explain how two people making a commitment to a long-term, loving relationship threatens marriage. Some say it’s about procreation: Then why are infertile couples, couples who never want to have children, or elderly couples allowed…
Treat bears humanely
I am writing to the Fish and Game Commission to voice my opposition to bear hunting in San Luis Obispo County. I do not understand why anyone who has any compassion for animals would consider any regulation allowing humans to hunt down animals for sport. I have no doubt you take pride, as I do, in San Luis…
Green-light offshore drilling
I am wondering why Supervisor Bruce Gibson voted in favor of a letter opposing offshore oil drilling. If I remember correctly, Gibson is a Ph.D. in geology who formerly analyzed seismic survey data for the major oil companies. Apparently, oil wasn’t dirty enough then for Gibson to draw a paycheck, but now that he’s a…
Some protest
The “Liber-publicans” who dreamed up the tax day “teabagging protests” must think the American people have the collective IQ of a flea. The federal taxes in place at this time are 100 percent taxes imposed under former President George W. Bush and his Republican Congress. No changes—none whatsoever!—have been imposed under President Barack Obama. These…
Where is the justice?
Keith Dekker brings up a good point in his letter “Sentences should be just” (April 2). The comparison I like to use is between Charles Lynch’s case and the pending case of the San Luis Obispo County sheriff deputy arrested by the FBI for child pornography. Both cases involve arresting federal agents, both involve…
What’s up?
The beautiful skies above the Central Coast have become blighted. This is an assault on our skies. It is a dirty shame that our government chooses to operate this program blatantly, right over our heads, yet without our informed consent. Since becoming aware of what has been going on in our skies recently, I…
Neither fear nor favor
The letter by Ray Pezzoll Jr., “He must be dreaming,” in the April 9 edition, calls President Obama naïve and ignorant because he doesn’t agree with some of his policies: not the change many of us wanted. The writer is correct in his history of past administrations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that we must…
Contact the commission now
Thanks so much for your ongoing coverage of the proposed black- bear hunt, and especially for the commentary in opposition (“Let bears roam in SLO County,” April 9). And I loved the cartoon in the same issue by Jerry James! Brace yourself for a slew of hate mail from the hook ‘n’ bullet boys. …
Who’s on her side?
I find it very interesting that the county has stepped in to take temporary conservatorship of Phoebe Hearst Cooke’s estate to protect her from the wolves and scammers, but I wonder who will be protecting her from the county’s conservators and all the lawyers who will be lined up, always eager to help an old…
Ron Alsop
New Times: How should San Luis Obispo County residents prepare for an earthquake? Hildebrandt: People need to realize that an earthquake can happen at any time. But the basic personal preparedness is to have an emergency supply kit. Bolting down heavy bookcases and furniture is important. But the key thing is to have a plan…
It’s McCarthyism all over again!
I didn’t used to read the “news”—not what passed for news in this little pond, anyway. “What’s the point?” I thought. It’s about the same every day: That little blonde girl from Mission Prep wins a race, the Board of Supes offends the environmentalist or the rancher or the developer, and some merchant markets a…
The decision to euthanize a bald eagle
A Tribune article recently reported that an injured bald eagle was “rescued,” however the animal was euthanized. The reason for killing the bird was muscle damage that shelter officials believed would prohibit it from ever flying again. Yes, the injury was serious but we should question whether we should make such final determinations regarding wild…
Liberty School 2007 Chardonnay Central Coast
This refreshing white opens with a spicy bouquet that leads to aromas and flavors of ripe apple and Bartlett pear balanced with light citrus notes. It’s spicy but not all about oak, which I prefer. Friendly alone, it’s also quite good with prawns, crab Louis, halibut, or poultry. Just $14 retail, widely available, and at…
Talley 2006 Pinot Noir Arroyo Grande Valley
The Talley family focuses on long term sustainability in their vineyards with minimum handling throughout the winemaking process. Those qualities are exemplified in this classic Pinot Noir. This lovely wine offers delicious flavors of red and black cherry, blackberry, earth, and spice, all nuanced with elegant mineral notes. It’s quite drinkable now, but it’s ideal…
A North County favorite moves south
Ever since I moved to SLO County in 1996, locals have told me how much they love chef Ian McPhee. Their food love affair began with his first restaurant in Cambria named Ian’s, and his followers remained loyal when he relocated to Templeton as McPhee’s. With his popular restaurant an easy drive from Paso Robles…
Party time!
Are the tides turning for marijuana advocates? With Bush out of the White House and Obama allowing states with medical marijuana laws to operate unfettered by the threat of federal intervention, it seems as though the tone has changed, and as more and more Americans come to the realization that they were misled about the…
