Cover Story
Big plans in little Avila: Important development decisions loom for the Avila Beach community
Avila Beach is beautiful, but it isn’t big. There’s the eponymous beach, three piers, a golf course, some hot springs, and a small downtown. The 2010 census listed Avila’s population at 1,627, and many of those people live in developments tucked back into the hills. No highways enter Avila Beach. The rolling hills that surround…
Arroyo Grande instructor accused of teaching creationism
After receiving complaints from parents in Arroyo Grande and both local and national atheist organizations, the Lucia Mar Unified School District has launched an investigation into reports of an Arroyo Grande High School science teacher teaching creationism in class. Until recently, AGHS teacher Brandon Pettenger was listed on the school’s website as teaching chemistry and…
Cal Poly takes Greeks off social probation
Fraternities and sororities at Cal Poly were officially removed from an almost three-month-long social probation on April 17, according to university administrators. The probation began on Jan. 13, and was prompted by three reported sexual assaults involving fraternities in the span of three months. Subsequently, Cal Poly Greek life student leaders created the STATUS (Students…
Arroyo Grande suspect has bail revoked, faces more allegations
Lenny Jones, 63—a prominent Arroyo Grande real estate agent and the city’s 2015 Citizen of the Year—is facing a mounting series of child molestation allegations. The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office suggested additional charges against Jones on April 17 and 20, based on Jones’ alleged third and fourth child molestation victims and a report…
What is your weirdest celebrity crush?
Gabbi Sanchez hostess “Jason Segel.” Kellie Ulrich barista “Nick Kroll.” Hannah Sidaris marketing “Iron Man. He’s not real, but he is a crush.” Evan Dobkin cashier “Jennifer Aniston.”
Don’t deny our safety; deny the permit
The only way to keep our county safe from fires and explosions caused by oil train derailments—with their accompanying clouds of oily, toxic smoke that sticks to everything and their groundwater pollution—is to prevent the huge increase in oil trains going through our county. And the only way to do that is to deny a…
Supes should OK Las Pilitas quarry
Supervisors will soon weigh in on the Las Pilitas Resources proposal and whether we embrace local residents wanting to do business here or send our dollars to businesses that support workers elsewhere. As a strong supporter of the Las Pilitas Resources proposal, I see no issues in approving this project. The site is zoned for…
Why not hire homeless youths?
I was, frankly, surprised to learn that the young adults referred to as “unaccompanied minors” (also known as “travelers”) are not able to even avail themselves of the free meals at outreach services (“Children deserve more from us,” April 16). The forces that have brought them to the streets of America, as Zaf Iqbal has…
Most of us weren’t on the roof
This letter is written to answer with a strong “yes” those who ask if college students have ethics/values—especially to Carol, author of the letter “Wake up to ethics, students” (April 16). My defensive spirit awoke within me when I read your letter, Carol. I was hurt and angered, to say the least. So, I ask…
Character counts, even downtown
On Nov. 25, 2014, The Tribune posted an article showing the latest architectural rendition of the Chinatown Project that contains a 76-room hotel, the Piazza Hospitality Group Hotel. Drawings were first shown to the public in 2009. At that time, the project displayed a French provincial character with details that created an acceptable scale for…
A memoir of mythic vines: ‘Mad Crush’ digs deep into ancient Arroyo Grande soil
Chapter three: “The first time Bill made wine, he was buck naked. Clothing wasn’t optional at the communal grape stompings on Mountain Drive above Santa Barbara …” Can I just say, it’s been a few years since I’ve lain in bed and highlighted full sentences in a book, cap in my mouth, pages dog-eared to…
ManRock Brewing Company’s Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout and SLO Brew’s Rye Whiskey
My husband and I both agreed that this beer should be called a “sour,” due to its delightfully tart pucker. However, it’s always cool to experience a surprise in your glass! Well, I guess I went and ruined that surprise, now didn’t I? Oh well, don’t let that stop you from ordering one alongside a…
Eating the web
Mojito fever: You all know I am mojito crazy, right? In honor of my new mint plant, I intend to try a few new spring remixes of the old fave, including melon, fresh ginger, and coconut milk mojito variations (see all the unique recipes I’m trying at sbchic.com/tag/unique-mojito-ideas) … Sick of those blogs that offer…
A bail of a tale to tell ya, lads
Who’s got a weekly column, a wicked peppermint Schnapps and pickle juice hangover, about $35 spread across three checking accounts in two states, and a brilliant idea for capitalizing on climate change? This Shred. I’ve never really known what the saying “a rising tide floats all boats” means, but I saw it on my Cliché…
Sowers Education Group works to eradicate human trafficking
Rachel Thomas said she was just 20 years old when she was forced into sex work. A native of Pasadena, she lived a happy childhood with supportive, loving parents. Her father was a church deacon, and Thomas was in the Rose Parade court and voted prom queen at her high school. In other words, she…
Cougars & Mustangs
We’re approaching the end of April, and therefore the beginning of May. “The year is advancing!” the masses cry, “How much closer we are to the seventh episode of Star Wars and Jurassic World!” But as exciting as franchises we’ve been doing our best to pretend have not been dead for 20 years are, we…
Can’t get no satisfaction: A local bus company allegedly fired an employee when he tried to disclose an unsatisfactory CHP inspection
On an early afternoon in November 2013, a passenger bus was about 40 miles along its approximately 330-mile route from Goleta to Oakland when it ran into trouble. That trouble was in the form of the California Highway Patrol, which stopped the driver of a Silverado Stages bus. An inspection of that bus revealed three…
Correction
The April 16 Strokes & Plugs, “Celebrate the good Earth,” incorrectly stated the location of the Branch Mill Organics farm. It is in Arroyo Grande.
Cal Poly football player arrested on suspicion of felony DUI
Early in the morning on April 19, Marvin Abou, 22, lost control of his 2004 Jeep Wrangler on a residential San Luis Obispo road, struck a parked car, and flipped the Jeep onto its roof. SLOPD officers responded to the scene in the 2100 block of Loomis Street shortly after 1 a.m. and subsequently arrested…
Yanaga to be tried for murder, also charged with attempted murder
The San Luis Obispo County District Attorney’s office announced on April 20 that Thomas Nolan Yanaga will stand trial for murder. Yanaga is alleged to have shot and killed Marshall Chandler Savoy on March 14 at Yanaga’s Paso Robles home. After the preliminary hearing phase concluded on April 20, Superior Court Judge John Trice found…
SLO County Supervisors will submit a Paso Robles Basin Water District to LAFCO
After yet another fiery meeting on the perennial issue of the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin, the San Luis Obispo County Board of Supervisors voted to move forward with submitting an application to form a water district. The district discussion has revealed a sharp difference of opinions over what local control looks like and who would…
Clubs 4/23/15 – 4/30/15
Goin’ South THE CLIFFS RESORT: 2757 Shell Beach Road, 773-5000 or cliffsresort.com. CUVEE BISTRO AND CHAMPAGNE BAR: 550 1st St., Avila Beach, 595-2245. Live music Thurs. and Sat. 6-9pm. 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…
The Palm Theatre screens 1962 Western, ‘Lonely Are the Brave,’ as part of monthly Take Two Live series
There are few images as iconic as that of a lone cowboy riding across the American plains on his trusty steed. When you think of the West, you think of this scene. You think of John Wayne lighting out for the territories in John Ford movies. You think of Clint Eastwood with his dusty hat…
Neil Young, Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real play surprise show at SLO Brew!!!
Todd and Korie Newman of Good Medicine Presents dropped a super secret show on SLO Town on April 16 when they welcomed Neil Young to SLO Brew. Young, backed by Willie Nelson’s son Lukas Nelson and his band Promise of the Real, delivered two sets of environmentally focused and socially conscious rock to a sellout…
Veteran singer-songwriter Phil Lee performs songs from his new album on April 25 at Steynberg Gallery
One-of-a-kind performer Phil Lee is a character—the kind of guy who, when his wife Maggie tells him he needs a hobby, takes up knife throwing. The sort of fellow who has a hairless dog named Lucy, which he loves beyond reason. The sort of guy who climbs into his van and hits the road for…
Studios on the Park features three figurative artists with its In a New World exhibit
There’s a whole crowd of people at Studios on the Park right now. There are the usual throngs of people visiting the art gallery, of course, people painting in the studios, and the occasional people popping into the space for a taste of its refreshing air conditioning. But there’s a whole other set of strangers…
Cal Poly University Art Gallery presents annual juried student exhibit
Stark white walls hold a small collection of art: traditional photographs and paintings as well as slightly nontraditional graphic design posters featuring a rainbow of typography. They hold sculptures atop simple ivory plinths, ranging from a coral-like structure with mirrors on the inside to what looks like the framing from a bike and its horn…
Alt rock singer-songwriter Pete Yorn makes his SLO Town debut on April 26 at SLO Brew
Alt-rocker Pete Yorn was an immediate favorite of mine when he first released Musicforthemorningafter, his 2001 debut. I wasn’t alone in my appreciation of the New Jersey-born singer-songwriter; Rolling Stone called him one of “10 artists to watch” in 2001. He’s been on the West Coast for a long time now, and he tours a…
