Cover Story
The challenger
The man looking to take the seat from San Luis Obispo County 3rd District Supervisor Adam Hill this June couldn’t stand in starker contrast to the incumbent. A relatively new face to the local world of politics, Pismo Beach City Councilman Ed Waage has a doctorate in chemistry and ties to Pacific Gas & Electric.…
What book would you like to see made into a movie?
Steve Morgan retired The Killing of Lincoln. Chris Hackman construction The Hobbit. Aaron Emerson marketing consultant The Bible. Courtney Holm grocery store employee Even though The Kite Runner was already made into a movie, I feel that they didn’t do it justice, so I would like to see it made again.
Beat the drum slowly …
There’s something cathartic about beating the skins. Hmm. That sounds vaguely dirty. Rephrase. Playing the drums feels awesome! Of course, I don’t really play the drums so much as hit them, which is why I respect those who actually take lessons and practice their craft. Real talented drummers will be showing off their skills on…
Earth rocks!
As I’m riding the trolley to El Chorro Regional Park on Sunday, April 22, I can’t help but overhear two little girls talking behind me. “Oil is precious,” says one. “Water is precious,” says the other. “So is oil,” repeats the first. “You should keep oil in the ground,” counters the other. Ah, the sounds…
The SLO Symphony is 51
Last year, the San Luis Obispo Symphony turned 50, and you bet they celebrated with a pretty epic concert. First they premiered a new piece by composer Craig Russell, then they topped it off by doing Beethoven’s 9th in its entirety, which, if you happened to be sitting in the first row, was super intense,…
Farewell, Compact
Over the past few years, Compact Gallery has been quietly showing groundbreaking, strange, uncomfortable, and lovely art in San Luis Obispo. The gallery was the kind of place one could walk into, month after month, and never be quite prepared for the experience that awaited the senses on the other side of its smoked glass…
En garde!
Until I saw Cuesta drama instructor bree valle’s latest production, I’d forgotten how funny Alexandre Dumas’ The Three Musketeers can be. Even when they’re completely surrounded by Cardinal Richilieu’s guards, about to be ruthlessly skewered, Athos, Porthos, Aramis, and d’Artagnan still manage to deliver some of literature’s most valiant and grandiose one-liners. “Come at me,…
Questions For: Briana Shean
NEW TIMES Where did the idea for this come from? SHEAN Forty years ago from Dr. Edgar Cahn. … In this area, we’re about maybe two, three months old, but the larger organization is maybe 40 years old, and it’s worldwide. NEW TIMES What professions do you have? SHEAN It’s really everything. … We have…
God bless us and protect us from stupid Democrats
We are dismayed at just what the Hillary Clinton Democratic State Department is doing in the Middle East in their foreign policy under the direction of the Obamanation in the White House. They pretend to be promoting democracy, but the net result of all their actions to date is to promote Islamic radicalism and the…
Ending addiction requires commitment
Please allow me to comment on Dr. Howalt’s letter, “There are medical treatments for drug addiction” (April 12). While I agree that society shouldn’t punish addicts, I must disagree that addiction is not a choice. It was a moral issue when that patient decided to take his first dose, and quitting his addiction is also…
There’s nothing ‘easy’ about DUIs
As a member of the motoring public—and as a retired county prosecutor—I hope Matt Fountain’s report (“Two in one,” April 19) serves to discourage readers from driving under the influence. However, I don’t agree that “it’s relatively easy to find yourself a multiple (DUI) offender in no time at all.” In fact, it’s not so…
Regarding Code Pink
Although I am glad that these women banded together for a cause, I am disappointed that they chose this cause, and disappointed that New Times runs stinted editorials like this (“Whatever happened to Code Pink?” April 19). First and foremost, I was there in Iraq during the invasion, and have returned since, and hold that…
Come on! There are still reasons to organize!
To all of you who have asked whatever happened to Code Pink, please, please read the answer in Victoria Grostick’s extremely accurate and informative explanation on the commentary page of the April 19 edition of New Times (“Whatever happened to Code Pink?”). Yes, Code Pink is on hiatus, but we still have lots of…
Ed Waage listens
I am new to being involved in local government. I have been attending the board of supervisors meetings and have an observation to make. I do not feel represented or heard by three of the current board members. I feel that decisions are made against the citizens of SLO County, and most do not even…
Adam’s candidness is appreciated
Congratulations to Colin Rigley and Adam Hill on a well-done piece (“Regarding Adam,” April 19). With all the former exposé pieces, it is very refreshing to have an opportunity to read Mr. Hill’s responses and candid views in real, down-to-earth terms rather than “political speak.” People should have a much better perspective on things. Hopefully…
Bake ‘n’ bitch
Look out, Gloria Steinem. Get out of the way, Susan B. Anthony. Go suck an egg, Betty Friedan. There’s a new gang of feminists in town—and they’ve got a rolling pin, and they know how to use it. I refer, of course, to the local chapter of the American Association of University Women who last…
Free Comic Book Day–what!?!
Despite being a real fake doctor/lawyer, I am also a dirty filthy addict. My drug of choice is the graphic media some may call comic books. I know you want some. You’ve seen it around. All the cool kids are doing it. Hell, the first one’s free on May 5. It’s Free Comic Book Day,…
Clubs 4/26
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…
Breakfast of late-night carousers?
Sunday brunch is one of the most glorious inventions in the history of eating. Instead of being scolded for a Saturday night spent drinking and a Sunday morning spent lolling in bed with one’s cat, one is rewarded with a delightful bevy of the best of breakfast and lunch, usually enjoyed in good company. First,…
Pine Ridge 2011 Chenin Blanc and Viognier California
Pine Ridge makes Chenin Blanc (for which they hold a high reputation) the base of this unusual blend; this vintage it’s 79 percent with 21 percent Viognier. The crew at Trader Joe’s in Arroyo Grande recommended it and it was worthy of their high praise. I loved the wonderful array of sweet, fruit flavors yet…
Moving on
It’s common for chefs to move from restaurant to restaurant: aspiring young chefs fresh out of culinary school need such opportunities to build their repertoire; for the experienced chef, however, it’s about finding their niche. This month we’ve had a lot of changes happening in the restaurant industry, from chefs Brian Collins, Pandee Pearson, and…
Off to a fighting start
Seven months ago, Jamie Maraviglia-Manalo was dealing with something no parent should; she was watching her seven-week-old daughter Naya struggle for life. Naya could not fight any longer and eventually passed, leaving a void in Maraviglia-Manalo. Today, Maraviglia-Manalo is turning this awful experience into something positive. She is working with March of Dimes to raise…
Cougars & Mustangs
College students, you’re a notoriously persistent bunch. When you slip and fall into the hole you’ve been digging for yourself all semester, you don’t just get a Wile E. Coyote slide whistle. No, you’re Gandalf, and you’re fighting that Balrog the whole way down. And, just like Gandalf, when you emerge triumphantly, people can tell…
State of the union
San Miguel Community Services District General Manager Rene Salas has proposed that the district should lay off one-third of its full-time employees. But in a district of San Miguel’s size, one third of its full-time workforce equates to one person, who also happens to be considered the primary rabble-rouser behind a newly formed union. Administrative…
One path to connect them all
“There’s two ways through there.” Eric Meyer puts on his reading glasses and points to a map spread across the table in front of him, specifying a section of land in Pismo Beach owned by Union Pacific Railroad. General Washington couldn’t have looked more serious charting his course across the Delaware, but then, Washington was…
Regulators give local bank a little leeway
Heritage Oaks Bank has basically been grounded for the last year, but after doing its chores and turning a profit for six consecutive quarters, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and California Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) have agreed to let the community bank out of its room and terminate the Joint Consent Order that…
County seeks homeless coordinator
If you’re an unemployed program manager with experience in managing government grants and working to end homelessness, San Luis Obispo County is hiring. County officials are encouraging anyone interested in serving as the lead for the county’s Homeless Services Oversight Council (HSOC) to apply by April 27. On April 24, SLO County supervisors unanimously approved…
The state’s nuclear power supply dwindles after Diablo events
It’s been a rough week at the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant after a scheduled refueling left one reactor inactive and some unwelcome visitors caused the second to be reduced to only a small fragment of its capacity. Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility that operates the facility, announced on April 23 that the Unit…
SLO defense attorney McCormick dies
Thomas McCormick, a well-known figure in the San Luis Obispo County legal community, has died, according to colleagues and staffers at the SLO Superior Court. He was 55. McCormick had practiced law for more than 27 years, often taking highly publicized, complex cases. He earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco, and…
Corrections
• In a recent arts story (“Meet the Millers!,” April 19) a local singer and guitarist was misidentified. His name is Mike Miller. • The online version of the April 19 article, “Regarding Adam,” incorrectly identified a county union. The union’s name is the San Luis Obispo County Employees’ Association.
A.G. wants to go charter
Arroyo Grande city staffers talk about going charter like it’s too good to be true, which is why some City Council members and residents are nervous. Despite the term “charter,” the proposal that city officials are mulling has nothing to do with cable or Internet. If it’s approved by the City Council and eventually Arroyo…
The last picture-show show
The telltale opening theme of Take Two, KCBX radio’s long-running movie program—featuring the percussive bursts of a film projector starting, popcorn kernels popping, and castanets clacking out a jaunty rhythm—has fallen silent, at least for now. The final episode aired April 23. Hosts Jim Dee (of the Palm Theatre) and Bob Whiteford (formerly of Insomniac…
De Vaul’s ass: saved
The bill for the much ballyhooed Sunny Acres cleanup just went down. Way down. On April 20, San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Charles Crandall gave a nod to the PolyHouse project to remediate code violations at Sunny Acres, a sober-living facility for otherwise homeless individuals that was upended by code violations and subsequent court…
Morro Bay senior challenges school district over app
By most accounts from sources at Morro Bay High School, Johnny Hammerlund is one “sharp” high school senior. So sharp, in fact, the student webmaster once spooked San Luis Coastal Unified School District officials into blocking access to the school’s own website. On April 24, roughly 30 of Hammerlund’s fellow students stood behind him in…
