Cover Story
The great Sacramento kiss off
Tamera Richardson aged out of the foster system on her eighteenth birthday. Forced to separate from the younger siblings she had cared for since she was seven years old, Richardson became homeless; sleeping in nearby parks and surfing couches, eventually moving into her car. Despite working at three jobs, Richardson continued her education, taking a…
What is your greatest extravagance?
Tina Garcia US Forest Service natural resource officer “Dark chocolate Eugene Jaffe retired manufacturer’s representative “A walk along the ocean: You can’t get any better than that.” Shilpa Kuruvilla housewife “Spending a week in Ronda, Spain; a town in the Andalusian mountains. It was very romantic.” Dave Sadek pizza deliveryman “The freedom to do whatever…
His aim is true
I actually don’t remember the exact year Elvis Costello came to Poly. Maybe it was 1983? Anyway, it was the New Wave era and I think Flock of Seagulls and I had the same hairstylist. Over the years I’ve grown up with Costello. His music served as the soundtrack to my life, and as his…
Let’s talk about sex(ting)
Across the nation, thousands of individuals and organizations are dedicated to teaching teens about the importance of safe and healthy sexual habits. There are also plenty of people and groups who advocate for abstinence only. And now, thanks to the increasingly wired world in which we live, those educators are adding another topic to their…
Old gas haunts county
A lot’s changed since 1955. Presidents have come and gone. Wars have been fought. Physicists have reshaped our view of space and time. Then there’s the franchise agreement between SLO County and Southern California Gas Company, which has remained virtually unchanged since 1955. It’s not that there haven’t been attempts to update a decrepit contract…
Courthouse sting busts suspended drivers
The police weren’t kidding on April 1 when they impounded three vehicles and cited their owners for driving with licenses that had been suspended for only a few minutes. Four plainclothes officers spent the day tailing about 20 people as they left court hearings that revoked their driving privileges. Guy Morillo, Martin Cisneros, and Brandon…
City cracks down on ‘unruly gatherings’
San Luis Obispo’s war on the unruly took another step at the April 6 meeting of the city council. Any large gathering on private property that crosses the line to boisterous rowdiness will be dealt with. Harshly. That’s the message from the council, which voted unanimously to raise the penalty for large parties or “unruly…
Gaining access
Denying Los Osans easy access to public records is like denying addicts their scores. Case in point: Provide only one paper copy of a SLO County response to the California Coastal Commission over the Los Osos sewer project and there’s going to be trouble. “Why this approach?” resident Julie Tacker asked, lambasting SLO County supervisors…
Taxi company sues county
Beach Cities Taxi is suing the San Luis Obispo County for $500,000 in damages for canceling a permit that allows it to take customers to the San Luis Obispo County regional airport. The company alleges their permit was improperly terminated. The taxi company’s permit was pulled a year ago when, according to Richard Howell, general…
Sorry, Daffy and Donald: no more free meals
Drop those bread crumbs! The San Luis Obispo City Council passed new storm water management regulations at its meeting on April 6, in an attempt to comply with state water standards. In order to improve water quality, the ordinance prohibits people from feeding ducks at local parks, lakes, and creeks. Officials say duck feces in…
SLO town hits smokers where it hurts
Smoke ’em if you got ’em: Come May 20, lighting up in downtown San Luis Obispo could get you cited. On April 6, the City Council voted 4-1 to pass an ordinance that outlaws smoking in indoor and outdoor public streets, sidewalks, parking garages, and any other areas frequented by non-smokers. But don’t give up…
Clinic will teach amputees to surf
Consider how surfing can heal as well as thrill. Last year, Julie Carruthers, who’s now the volunteer coordinator of fundraising for The Association of Amputee Surfers (AmpSurf), searched for aquatic sports she could join. Her Google quest took her to the organization website AmpSurf.org, where she learned the group has helped hundreds of disabled veterans…
Sites to behold: Heyoscarwilde.com
Founded in 1998, the site features portraits of people’s favorite author or literary character. The central figure depicts Oscar Wilde and The Thing, a Fantastic Four character whose motto is “it’s clobberin’ time.” The dapper dandy and the hulking figure, whose skin is comprised of rocky crags, are an unlikely pair. In one drawing, Wilde…
Art of the bargain
It’s Easter Sunday, April 4, and I should be at church with my family. Instead, I’m wandering through the Holy Immaculate Temple of the Perpetual Bargain (aka—the swapmeet at Sunset Drive-In). I’ve got my coffee in one hand and a wad of low-denomination bills stuffed into my pocket, and I’m on the lookout for art.…
High-flyin’, belly-shakin’, hip-hoppin’
In February of 2009 the city of San Luis Obispo lost its primary purveyor of ethnic and avante garde dance when World Rhythm and Motion Studio was forced to close its doors. After five years of renting the 4,000-square-foot space adjacent to the Greyhound station, the transportation giant had elected not to renew its lease,…
Weird things
When the economy gets tough, the tough pack up their sets and tutus and flee the PAC in search of a more affordable performance venue. At least that’s what Civic Ballet Artistic Director Drew Silvaggio has opted to do, trading in high production values for the opportunity to experiment with movement. For the second spring…
Prepare for battle!
Last winter, New Times put out a call to arms, searching for photographers across the county—professionals and amateurs alike—to compete in Photography Wars. Forty-six photographers answered the call and we selected six who will be given six challenges over the course of the next six months. In our Autumn Arts issue on Sept. 18…
I’m Catholic, and angry
I’m probably sticking my hand in a hornet’s nest by writing harshly about organized religion, but I’m writing just as passionately about the roots of my faith. That’s right; there’s something to make everyone mad! So why should I write? Because my conscience won’t allow me to do otherwise; consider: “No good tree bears bad…
It’s not either events or agriculture
Several articles have recently appeared regarding concerns about commercial events on ag and rural land in SLO County. Many locals who host weddings and events on their land own family farms, ranches, or vineyards; properties that are expensive to maintain, where agricultural operations often fail to cover annual expenses. Some of us have properties that…
Ethan Momburg, General Manager
NEW TIMES: What is the history of Mongo’s? MOMBURG: Well, Mongo’s opened about four years ago. Our owner Big Tom, as we like to call him, wanted to open a sports club and a restaurant. Our motto is “Great food, good times, and live music.” NEW TIMES: What entertainment do you offer? MOMBURG: Mongo’s itself…
I’m back, baby
So I’m still here. If you read last week’s column, you’ll know that I spoofed my own retirement. Sorry to disappoint by showing up again. What’s worse is some people around the office actually thought I was finally skedaddling and had tons of plans to fill the space with a self-help column or more ads…
Give to charities that help grieving families
Gunnery Sergeant Robert L. Gilbert II was killed in action in Afghanistan. Wounded on March 8, he died on March 16, his 28th birthday. He was a Special Operations Marine on his fifth tour of duty (three in Iraq, two in Afghanistan) who loved his country. He received many medals and awards prior to his…
The war in Afghanistan cannot be won
It was a big mistake for President Obama to listen to our military leaders regarding Afghanistan. Military leaders are always optimistic that military force will solve everything. It is their nature. Most of us voted for him because we wanted our troops to get out of this un-winnable war. But he fell into the trap,…
The Pope should resign or make license plates
When I joined the Navy at age18 my best buddy was Catholic. He taught me a lot about his church and I often went to his services. He told me the Pope is infallible, which made me question the validity of his church: How could any human be infallible ? The current Pope covered up…
Cortez’s the one
One of the most significant political races to be decided in San Luis Obispo County this year is that for sheriff. The race includes six candidates, whom I’ve considered carefully: their educational levels; previous or current law enforcement experience; and most importantly, their command experience. Ultimately, command authority determines effective law enforcement, officer morale, department…
Meet the Greens
The Green Party of San Luis Obispo will hold a general meeting, on Sunday, April 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ludwick Center, 864 Santa Rosa Street in San Luis Obispo, where we will feature two guest speakers. Everyone is invited. American Red Cross representatives will discuss community disaster preparedness and Ben…
Spread the wealth
My family had the distinct pleasure of recently visiting Hawaii. Because of a tsunami scare, we watched TV more than usual while on vacation. A news clip featured a judge admonishing a local entertainer who had just been convicted of tax evasion. The judge said, and I paraphrase, “You have been convicted of tax evasion,…
Financial institutions deserve strict regulation
Reckless behavior by big banks, mortgage lenders, and credit-card companies have cost millions of Americans their jobs, their retirement savings, and their financial well-being. Strong reforms currently before the Senate would hold big banks accountable and crack down on abuses by credit card companies and the mortgage lending industry. Unfortunately, there is an army of…
Contrails are not government spraying
Mike Saul’s letter (“Look up; look out!” April 1) is a perfect example of how people who have no knowledge of a subject can, through their ignorance, twist something innocent into something sinister. That sounds like the health care debate, doesn’t it? But I digress. His “convincing evidence” that it is “physically impossible” for a…
Get behind the Paso water-rate plan
A group of Paso Robles residents and businesses formed Water4Paso to support the uniform water rate that has now been adopted by Paso Robles City Council. We are an independent coalition dedicated to maintaining and conserving an adequate, affordable water supply. We believe that in 2004, faced with an increasingly unreliable ground water supply, the…
Clubs
Goin’ South … CAFÉ ANDREINI: 131 E. Branch St., Arroyo Grande, 481-6117. Thurs.: Live music at 6pm. COFFEE BEAN AND TEA LEAF: 750 Five Cities Dr., Pismo Beach, 773-6420. Music Night every Sat., 6:30-8:30pm. DOLPHIN BAY/LIDO: 2727 Shell Beach Rd., Shell Beach, 773-4300 or TheDolphinBay.com. ELMO’S NIPOMO SALOON: 131 South Thompson Road, Nipomo, 929-5362. Karaoke…
Cambria 2007 Pinot Noir Julia’s Vineyard
This rich Pinot offers flavors of blackberry, plums, bright notes of tangy Bing cherry, hints of leather, spice and briary berry notes. It’s tasty on its own and balanced enough for pairing with many foods, like seared, pepper-crusted ahi, rack of lamb with wild mushroom sauce, or a quality burger with blue cheese. Available at…
From farm to table
I just discovered a talented young chef named Julie Simon at Thomas Hill Organics who is rapidly earning fame as one of the Central Coast’s star chefs. This French-born gem, remarkable because she’s only 23 years old, is preparing sensational dishes at Paso Robles’s new bistro and wine bar. Thomas Hill Organics (THO) is a…
